Hi $300bn worth of rail and metro projects announced or under way in the Middle East.

Hi $300bn worth of rail and metro projects announced or under way in the Middle East.

The annual MEED MENA Rail & Metro Summit was told this morning that a total of $300bn worth of rail and metro projects are under way or planned in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

“Every single country in the MENA region has rail project ambitions,” MEED Projects’ director of analysis Ed James said.

“Not all of these projects will go ahead, but the figure is indicative of the scale of what is happening.”

James said Saudi Arabia had the largest rail project pipeline in the region with over $100bn, including the Riyadh Dammam High-Speed Rail, which is currently under study, along with the Eastern Province Municipality – Dammam Metro. Qatar boasts a rail and metro project pipeline valued at $40bn, followed by the UAE with $30bn. Across the region, the other big investments will be seen in Egypt, Iran, Kuwait and Oman.

Meanwhile, a keynote speaker at the summit says delivering rail and metro megaprojects in the Middle East presents unique challenges.

“A lot of the projects in the region are aiming for completion in the period to 2022,” Fluor (UAE) programme manager Dago Beek said in a keynote speech. “2020 is a huge challenge whether it is for projects or rolling stock.”

“These are strategic projects where co-operation with all stakeholders is required,” he said.

“We need confirmation of stakeholder standards and regulations. We need the required drawings for existing and proposed services. And we need to deal with overlapping transport corridors.”

“We need transport safety laws and multi-modal regulations,” Beek said.

“Right of way and land acquisition is an issue. Every piece of land is owned and getting alignment straight is a huge challenge.”

“We should move in a more professional manner when dealing with systems assurance,” Beek said. “And we need to be more professional when we are dealing with communication.”

Beek said that a key technical challenge is dealing with sand dunes drifting across the alignment of railways passing through deserts.

“There is no one solution to this challenge,” he said.

A possible technical solution brought forward at the summit was the use of viaducts of about 3 metres in height upon which railways would run.

“There is no single solution to this challenge,” Fluor (UAE) programme manager Dago Beek said a question and answer session after his opening keynote speech at the summit.

Fluor Corporation and Parsons Brinckerhoff are project managers on the $7bn Saudi Landbridge rail project which will connect Jeddah with Riyadh and the Saudi capital with the Gulf coast. Beek said the final full alignment of the project is not yet fixed, but it will include a stretch from Jeddah to the Riyadh area. The possible alignment of a link between Riyadh and the Gulf coast is now under review.

The MEED MENA Rail & Metro Summit is sponsored by Fluor, ZTE, Louis Berger, Vossloh Middle East, Bechtel, Drake & Scull, Autodesk, Hill International, Parsons and Thales.

Hi Magnitude News! Siemens to Deliver the World's Largest Subsea Pipeline Heating Power System.!

Hi Magnitude News! Siemens to Deliver the World's Largest Subsea Pipeline Heating Power System.!

Siemens Energy has received an order to deliver customized direct electrical heating (DEH) power supply systems for ten subsea flow lines, with an option for two additional systems. 

Customer is BP Exploration Limited and all the systems are to be deployed on BP-operated Shah Deniz gas field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. 

Delivery of the equipment is scheduled for end of 2015. 

Siemens scope of supply for the Shah Deniz Stage 2 development project includes the delivery of customized topside DEH power supply systems to be used on ten subsea flow lines to prevent hydrate formation during planned and unplanned process shutdown. 

Deepwater natural gas reservoirs and low temperatures induce hydrate formation, which can cause flow assurance challenges such as flow line blockage or reduced capacity. 

The DEH power systems from Siemens will contribute to a consistent flow of hydrocarbons despite challenging fluid characteristics and temperature conditions at the seabed. The respective modules of the systems contain power components as well as a unique control and protection system for the topside equipment and subsea DEH cables. 

They will provide power for the heating of pipelines when required by the operations and will be installed on the platform deck. 

The order includes full-load testing of the containerized systems that simulates real-life conditions to verify the integrity and full functionality of the system before shipment to Azerbaijan. This is key in order to ensure the reliability and availability required for this type of critical equipment. 

"Siemens is an established supplier of DEH systems and Subsea Solutions. With this contract award in the prolific Shah Deniz field, we will strengthen our position in the growing market for direct electrical heating," said Mario Azar, CEO of the Siemens Energy Sector's Oil and Gas Solutions Business Unit.

Hi 'UAE Top Ten Construction Companies in Dubai!'.

Hi 'UAE Top Ten Construction Companies in Dubai!'.

Construction companies in Dubai are the lifeblood of this state. Dubai cannot survive without construction companies. Dubai is the place, which has the largest number of construction projects in the world. Here is a review of major construction companies in Dubai.

ACTCO

ACTCO is a local company operating in the UAE, belonging to a group of multinational shareholders. Since its establishment in 1975, ACTCO has prided itself on an impressive record of successfully completed projects, and has enjoyed the reputation of meeting its schedules and doing so within budget and to the highest client satisfaction.

ACTCO currently employs over 3300 employees in various disciplines and activities over a wide spectrum of civil turn-key projects in industrial developments, infrastructure/ utilities, power plants, desalination plants, oil and gas projects, industrial buildings, airport facilities and commercial/residential buildings.

Arabian Construction Company (ACC)

ACC has been operating since 1967, through a comprehensive regional network throughout the Middle East. From power generation and desalination plants, to factories, hotels, hospitals, and intricately sophisticated smart buildings, ACC's track record is a prestigious list of efficiently delivered projects.

Established contacts in the region, a dedicated workforce and an exacting standard for completion have gained the company a competitive edge well recognized in the industry. ACC benefits from a working network in many areas in the Middle East which allows it to mobilize rapidly throughout the region.

ACC offers full contracting services and has the flexibility to assist the client by securing additional expertise for feasibility studies, preliminary designs, financing opportunities and joint venture partners for optimum project delivery.

Dutco GroupThe history and development of the Dutco Group of Companies is inextricably interwoven with that of Dubai itself. The establishment of Dutco, as the company is generally known, dates back to 1947, when a leading local businessmen Mr. Yousuf Baker established Dubai Transport Company.

From these beginnings, the company has grown steadily and today it is one of the largest construction companies in Dubai. There is virtually no aspect of Dubai's infrastructure development in which the Dutco Group does not play a part, with successes extending well beyond Dubai and the UAE.

Activities include large-scale civil engineering works, mechanical and electrical engineering, Piling & soil improvement, civil engineering, dredging, survey and reclamation, pipeline engineering, information technology and telecommunications, shipping and freight services, trading and luxury hotel operations.

Nakeel Group
Nakheel is the largest property developer in Dubai. They are responsible for mega projects such as The Palm Island project, The World island project etc.

Emaar

Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world’s largest real estate companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. A Dubai-based Public Joint Stock Company, Emaar is listed on the Dubai Financial Market and is part of the Dow Jones Arabia Titans Index.

In Dubai, Emaar is extending its expertise in creating master-planned communities to international markets. Simultaneously, Emaar is developing new competencies in hospitality & leisure, malls, education, healthcare and financial services, which have evolved from its integrated approach to customer service and property development.

With six business segments and more than 60 active companies, Emaar has a collective presence in over 36 markets spanning the Middle East, North Africa, Pan-Asia, Europe and North America. The company has established operations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, USA, Canada and United Kingdom.

DAMAC

DAMAC Properties is part of DAMAC Holdings. DAMAC properties was established in 1995 and has grown into one of the most successful residential, leisure and commercial developers in Dubai and the Middle East, and is expanding rapidly into North Africa, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Far East.

DAMAC Properties manage all their projects from start to finish, the company’s diverse range of expertise allows them to control land purchase activity, appointment of architects and designers, construction and sales and after sales service. In addition to support services provided by their Dubai headquarters, the company’s comprehensive Customer Care Program provides solutions through its vast regional network with offices in the UK (London, Manchester, Reading, Leicester, Birmingham and Glasgow), Ireland, Italy, UAE, Russia, Jordan,Lebanon, Egypt, KSA, Pakistan and Qatar.

Al Naboodah

Established in 1975, Al Naboodah Contracting Company- Civil Engineering Division has achieved a notable record in the field of civil construction.

This is one of the most respected locally owned construction companies in Dubai.

Their construction projects are part of the landmarks that symbolise the development of United Arab Emirates.

Maritime Industrial Services

Established in the Middle East since 1979, Maritime Industrial Services Co. Ltd. Inc. (MIS) enjoys continued success in the petroleum-related construction and services industry.

MIS is one of the leading contractors in the Middle East, providing a full line of engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, safety, operating, and maintenance services to the oil, gas, petrochemical, power generation, marine, and heavy industries.

DCC

DCC is a leading international construction company in Dubai. Right from its inception in 1962, DCC has been committed to achieving the highest standards in its field.

DCC offers a wide range of services ranging from turnkey projects to construction and service contracts.

With an eye to the future, DCC established early alliances with leading architectural, design and engineering firms, and it began to build a network of companies which, though launched in the United Arab Emirates, soon rose to global prominence.

Today, after four decades of achievements that constantly raised the bar for excellence, the company's reputation is well established in the skylines of some of the world's most modern cities.

Kanoor

Kanoor contracting is leading Civil and Electro-Mechanical construction company in the G.C.C. for more than two decades. Kanoor is a leading contractor for oil and Gas, Industries, Refineries, Cement, Fertilizer, Steel and Aluminum Plant and Power Plants, Infra-structure, Villas, Warehouses etc. in the Gulf Countries - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and U.A.E.

Kanoor Contracting (LLC) established in U.A.E. in the year 2001 with an aim to cater booming local Industrial, Civil & Electro Mechanical Industry. The company has played a significant role in the industrialization with well-qualified and experienced Managers, Engineers and Workforce.