US-based Jacobs has received a five-year extension from Saudi Aramco for its general engineering services (GES) contract.

The extension builds on the framework of the original contract signed in 2011. Services include engineering, procurement and construction management services for Saudi Aramco projects.

The services are being led by the Jacobs ZATE operation in Khobar.

US-based KBR’s Saudi joint venture engineering operation with Azmi Abdulhadi & Abdulla al-Moaibed Consulting Engineering Company (AMCDE) has also secured a five-year extension to its general engineering services plus (GES+) contract with Saudi Aramco.

Consultants are also competing to form a joint-venture project management company with Aramco.

Aramco is expected to form the new project management entity by the end of the first quarter next year. It will target government infrastructure projects planned for the kingdom over the next decade.

It will sell its services to other government bodies in Saudi Arabia that are developing infrastructure. A strong emphasis will be given to employing local Saudi nationals, which is one of the key goals of the government’s Vision 2030 document.