Wood has achieved a milestone year in the Middle East, securing a record-breaking $920 million worth of strategic contracts across Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Strengthening its regional presence, Wood recently inaugurated its third office in Sharjah, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the region’s energy transition.
Expanding Regional Impact
Wood’s recent contract wins include key projects across the Middle East:
- Saudi Arabia: Providing pre-FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) services for Aramco’s Southern and Northern Areas project.
- Iraq: Delivering integrated FEED, detailed design, procurement support, and construction and commissioning assistance for TotalEnergies.
- Regional Decarbonisation Initiatives: Leading a flare gas reduction program, successfully cutting over 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
- Carbon Advisory & Digital Solutions: Consulting on hydrogen and carbon capture projects, showcasing Wood’s expertise in brownfield modifications, maintenance, and sustainability solutions.
A Driving Force in the Energy Transition
Ken Gilmartin, CEO of Wood, emphasized the company’s role in supporting the Middle East’s journey toward sustainability:
“As outlined in our strategy, we believe the Middle East will play a pivotal role in the global energy transition. Wood is proud to be a trusted partner for industry leaders such as Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, Shell, and TotalEnergies, helping accelerate their net-zero ambitions.”
“This record-breaking year reflects the dedication of our 3,500-strong workforce. When clients engage us from the early stages of a project, we help them save time, reduce costs, and ensure quality throughout an asset’s lifecycle. Our expanding portfolio is also unlocking new career opportunities, attracting top talent to our growing teams across the Middle East.”
Investment in People & Local Talent Development
To support its continued expansion, Wood has grown its Middle East workforce by 500 employees in under a year, with a 25% headcount increase in the UAE alone. The company is currently recruiting for an additional 130 roles across the region.
Wood remains committed to enhancing local skills and workforce development:
- Vocational Training in Iraq: A new training center in Basra—developed in partnership with Al Majal—will open in early 2025 to support early-career talent.
- Graduate Programs in the UAE, Iraq & Saudi Arabia: Structured, multidisciplinary engineering training programs provide classroom and hands-on experience for local talent. 87 new graduates joined Wood in 2024.
- Recognition & Awards: Wood’s dedication to developing Emirati talent was recognized with a Nafis Award earlier in 2024.
Looking Ahead
With a record year of growth and a strong commitment to regional development, Wood continues to solidify its position as a leading partner in the Middle East’s energy transition. The company remains focused on expanding its workforce, investing in sustainability initiatives, and delivering high-value projects that drive efficiency, decarbonisation, and innovation.
