US escorts 1bn barrels through Hormuz
US forces have supported the safe transit of more than one billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months, according to Commander Admiral Brad Cooper (CENTCOM).
He said more than 2,000 commercial vessels received coordinated protection, while oil, cargo and LNG flows reached their highest levels in six months.
Cooper added that Iran has exported zero barrels of oil since the resumption of a US blockade of its ports.
SABIC AN greenlights ammonia project
Sabic Agri-Nutrients (SABIC AN) has approved the final investment decision for a Saudi Arabian ammonia and urea complex, awarding the EPC contract to Samsung E&A.
The project includes a 1.2 million-tonne-per-year ammonia plant, two urea plants with combined capacity of 2.6 million tonnes and a carbon capture unit.
The development will raise SABIC AN’s urea capacity by 54 per cent to 7.4 million tonnes annually.
Commissioning is expected in Q3 2030, with commercial production targeted for Q4.
Vallourec, Aramco deepen Saudi ties
Vallourec and Aramco have signed an agreement to strengthen their commercial, industrial and technological ties during the French-Saudi Investment Roundtable in Paris.
The companies have worked together since 1962, with Vallourec expanding its Saudi presence through local manufacturing and research investments.
The partnership includes premium OCTG pipe supplies and supports local production for new developments, including unconventional resources.
Vallourec said it will continue investing in Saudi capabilities and technology.
Elsewedy buys 60pc of Thomassen
Elsewedy Electric has acquired a 60 per cent majority stake in UAE-based Thomassen Service, a specialist in gas turbine maintenance and repair.
The deal covers Thomassen’s Middle East and Africa operations, filter manufacturing unit and African subsidiary.
The acquisition expands Elsewedy’s gas turbine operation, maintenance and component repair capabilities, while strengthening its regional footprint.
The company said the deal will improve localised services, turnaround times and asset reliability, while supporting investment, capacity expansion and talent development across energy and oil and gas markets.
Lamprell lands UAE offshore project
Lamprell has secured a contract as part of a consortium with Indian engineering group Larsen & Toubro for a major offshore EPCI project in the UAE.
The project involves developing multiple offshore facilities and upgrading existing infrastructure.
Lamprell will deliver the engineering, procurement, construction and installation scope for the subsea pipeline.
The award strengthens Lamprell’s position as a regional offshore EPCI contractor and expands its involvement in UAE energy infrastructure projects.
Acwa launches Red Sea utilities
Acwa has reached the Project Commercial Operation Date for The Red Sea destination, confirming full commercial operation of its utility systems.
The project is the Kingdom’s first giga-project to operate entirely on renewable energy without national grid support.
Its system combines a 340 MW solar plant with a 1,227 MWh battery, alongside desalination, wastewater treatment, district cooling and waste management.
The utilities can scale with future development under a 25-year concession, supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainability goals.
Alfa Laval unveils heat exchanger line
Alfa Laval has launched a “Made in Saudi” assembly line for heat exchangers, strengthening its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s industrial development and Vision 2030.
The new facility will produce heat exchangers tailored to local industry requirements, enabling faster deliveries and improved customer support.
The investment expands Alfa Laval’s local manufacturing capabilities while supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to develop domestic industrial capacity and strengthen its manufacturing sector.
Firms explore German ammonia supply
Covestro, Fertiglobe and MB Energy have signed an MoU to explore ammonia supply opportunities across Germany and Europe.
Fertiglobe will assess supplying ammonia through MB Energy’s proposed import terminal at Blumensand in Hamburg, including potential equity investment.
Covestro will evaluate ammonia offtake for chemical production and hydrogen needs.
The collaboration aims to diversify European ammonia supplies, strengthen supply-chain resilience and assess conventional, lower-carbon and renewable ammonia options and related transport infrastructure.
MAIRE wins $142m SABIC fertiliser deal
MAIRE’s NextChem, through nitrogen technology licensor Stamicarbon, has been selected to provide the technology package for SABIC Agri-Nutrients’ SAN-7 fertiliser project in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
The package, valued at about €125 million ($142 million), includes licensing, process design and proprietary equipment using NX STAMI™ Urea technology.
The grassroots plant will feature two urea units, each producing 3,850 tonnes per day, supporting Saudi Arabia’s fertiliser expansion and Vision 2030 goals.
XRG expands Caspian Gas position
XRG, wholly owned by ADNOC, has completed its acquisition of an equity stake in Southern Gas Corridor CJSC from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy after securing regulatory approvals.
The deal strengthens XRG’s gas position across the Caspian region, combining export infrastructure with upstream investments in Azerbaijan’s Absheron field and Turkmenistan’s offshore Block I.
The 3,500-km Southern Gas Corridor links Caspian gas supplies to Southern Europe through Georgia and Türkiye, with capacity of 26 billion cubic metres annually.