Read the Digital Magazine

In line with its ambitions, Gulf Keystone, a leading independent operator and producer in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has managed to record a gross average production of around 41,400 bopd in 2025

The company's approach involved transitioning from trucking sales to pipeline exports via the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline so that volumes can be quickly ramped up to attain full well capacity. 

Well workover is currently underway to bring back two wells online, which in turn, will result in increased production rates by early 2026. A three-week shutdown is also in plans next year to ensure safety upgrades at PF-2, with equipment tie-ins to be conducted as well. Engineering design work is on track for the installation of PF-2 water handling in 2027. 

Jon Harris, Gulf Keystone’s chief executive officer, said, "2025 has been a milestone year for the Company after pipeline exports from the Shaikan Field were successfully restarted in September following a hiatus of over two and a half years. Liftings allocated to Gulf Keystone and other IOCs commenced in November and we are pleased to have recently received our first payment. The process as outlined in the interim exports agreements is working and we look forward to a return to full PSC entitlement at international prices following the international independent consultant’s review.

"We are on track to meet our production, capital and cost guidance for 2025. Strong operational and financial performance in the year has enabled us to safely advance key projects while distributing US$50mn of dividends to shareholders. Cumulative production from the Shaikan Field recently surpassed 150 million barrels, underlining the scale and quality of the asset. Looking ahead to 2026, we are expecting a base work programme focused on the progression of current projects. We are also embedding optionality to restart drilling and review disciplined field development, contingent on consistent exports payments at international prices. We are excited about a potentially transformational year for the company and remain focused on executing for our shareholders."

Wood has maintained record sales booking in the Middle East for two years straight as it reported more than US$1bn in contract wins across the region in 2025

This marks a 20% increase over awards in 2024, led by regions such as United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

The largest award bagged this year has been an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the expansion of the ADNOC Gas Habshan facility. This comes with the scope for substantial upgrades, operational efficiency improvements, brownfield modifications and the installation of new facilities. 

Other deals include project management and engineering services for PetroChina at the West Qurna 1 oilfield in southern Iraq, and project management consultancy (PMC) to TA’ZIZ for the development of the UAE’s first methanol production facility in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi.

Multiple decarbonisation contracts for flare gas reduction and carbon efficiency project solutions has also been secured across the largest oil fields in Iraq.

"Our continued success in the Middle East shows the trust clients place in our teams and our ability to deliver complex projects at scale in support of national ambitions. In 2026, we’ll build on that momentum by strengthening our local presence and developing talent to drive sustainable growth," said Gerry Traynor, president of projects-Eastern Hemisphere.

"This year we’ve delivered critical solutions across the Middle East to improve asset reliability and cut emissions. In 2026, we’ll build on this success by expanding our operations and maintenance services in the region. Our focus is on proven approaches to asset management and modifications that improve efficiency and reduce downtime - practical steps that strengthen energy security and decarbonisation," said Ellis Renforth, president of operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

"Decarbonisation and digitalisation remain central to how we support clients in the Middle East. This year, we launched our specialist Middle East Energy Transition and Digital & AI Hubs to further support clients in accelerating emissions reduction while unlocking efficiencies through AI-driven solutions. This in-region advisory enables practical pathways to carbon reduction while supporting national visions for a sustainable energy future. Delivery has already spanned initiatives such as minerals procurement, hydrogen production facilities, and carbon capture and storage infrastructure," said Stuart Turl, vice president of Middle East Consulting. 

ExxonMobil, Aramco and Samref have signed an agreement to look at a significant upgrade of the Samref refinery, in Yanbu, and the possibility of expanding it into an integrated petrochemical complex

The refinery currently has the capacity to process more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day, producing a diverse range of energy products including propane, automotive diesel oil, marine heavy fuel oil, and sulphur. The companies will explore capital investments to upgrade and diversify production, including high-quality distillates that result in lower emissions and high-performance chemicals, as well as ways to improve the refinery’s energy efficiency and reduce emissions from operations through an integrated emissions-reduction strategy.

The companies will commence a preliminary front-end engineering and design phase for the proposed project, which would aim to maximise operational advantages, enhance Samref’s competitiveness and help to meet growing demand for high-quality petrochemical products in the Kingdom.

Samref is a joint venture between Aramco and Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani, Aramco Downstream president, said, “This next phase of Samref marks a step in our long-term strategic collaboration with ExxonMobil. Designed to increase the conversion of crude oil and petroleum liquids into high-value chemicals, this project reinforces our commitment to advancing Downstream value creation and our liquids-to-chemicals strategy. It will also position Samref as a key driver in the growth of the Kingdom’s petrochemical sector.”

Jack Williams, Exxon Mobil Corporation senior vice president, added, “We value our partnership with Aramco and our long history in Saudi Arabia. We look forward to evaluating this project, which aligns with our strategy to focus on investments that allow us to grow high-value products that meet society’s evolving energy needs and contribute to a lower-emission future.”

GPT Industries’ Iso-Smart remote pipeline monitoring device has attracted a high level of interest from operators in the Middle East since it was introduced to the region around a year ago

Iso-Smart is an all-in-one solution for checking Cathodic Protection (on and instant off potentials), Isolation, Bond currents, AC vs. DC on the line, and more from remote locations. The device can be mounted at any current test station along a pipeline, and incorporates True RMS technology to provide reliable real-time data, helping pipeline owners make informed decisions, address any issues or anomalies before they become critical and comply with pipeline integrity regulations. Combining GPT Industries’ decades of corrosion prevention expertise with the latest remote monitoring technology, it sets a new standard for a versatile, user-friendly remote asset integrity monitoring.

Iso-Smart communicates readings instantly to a secure dashboard, giving operators real-time visibility into asset performance. The platform also supports customisable alerts, automated reporting, and over-the-air firmware updates.

Speaking to Oil Review Middle East at ADIPEC, Michael Monica, director global sales, marketing and customer care at GPT Industries says that the company has successfully piloted Iso-Smart with end users in the region. The pilot is now validated and approved, the next step being to reach out to more end-users.

“The biggest differentiator with this device is that it is able to determine AC density on pipelines, something that is unique to Iso-Smart,” Monica points out. Pipelines exposed to alternating current (AC) from nearby power lines or railways face serious risks, including accelerated corrosion, compromised cathodic protection and safety hazards.

“Iso-Smart can distinguish direct current from alternating current, which is something operators need to be able to determine, and ensures your CP system is at the right level to protect the asset. The big advantage is that it allows you to remotely monitor the asset in real time from a dashboard, eliminating the need to take physical readings at the site. You can tell it you want it to measure, and how often.”

Monica emphasises the importance of Iso-Smart for compliance, noting its real-time monitoring capabilities and the ease of generating reports.

The latest version of Iso-Smart, launched a few months ago, incorporates significant new enhancements, based on end-user feedback, notably a more compact housing designed to fit seamlessly within standard three-inch test stations, making installation simpler, faster, and more practical for new and existing field operations.

Monica goes on to discuss the company’s takeover of Integrated Rectifier Technologies( IRT), a Canada-based manufacturer of transformer rectifiers and related products for the cathodic protection (CP) industry with a strong and established presence in the Middle East and globally.

This strategic acquisition unites GPT’s expertise in flange isolation technology and remote asset monitoring with IRT’s long-standing reputation for reliable rectifier systems, further strengthening GPT’s role in helping operators mitigate corrosion and maintain asset integrity across energy and infrastructure sectors.

Integrating IRT’s rectifier technology with GPT’s Iso-Smart remote monitoring platform will accelerate the development of advanced remote asset integrity systems, providing operators with deeper visibility into CP performance, streamlined data collection and faster response to field issues.

“We’re really excited to be working with IRT,” says Monica. “This acquisition expands our strategy of protecting our customers’ assets in the area of cathodic protection.”

Looking to supercharge your oil and gas security?

From desert facilities to offshore platforms, Middle East oil and gas sites require video security built to withstand extreme heat, corrosion and hazardous conditions.

Join Pelco for an exclusive online discussion on 16 September, 3pm GST to gain actionable insights into the industry’s top security challenges, and learn how Pelco’s ruggedised camera systems, designed for extreme environments, are rising to the challenge.

At the session, entitled “Eyes on efficiency: how Pelco can transform oil and gas operations,” discover how you can
• Protect assets in extreme and hazardous conditions
• Improve regulatory compliance and worker safety
• Minimise downtime, enhance operational efficiencies and reduce losses
• Future-proof and optimise security operations.

The expert panel will provide insights and real-world use cases demonstrating how the Pelco portfolio is transforming security ROI in oil and gas, from explosion-proof, long-range and AI-powered camera systems, legacy system integration and predictive safety alerts, to halo sensors for safety in zones where cameras can’t go.

Speakers are:
• Andy Shartzer, Technical Evangelist, Pelco
• Saqib Farooki, Middle East Oil & Gas Expert, Pelco
• Shamsheer Mohiuddin, Lead PMC Telecom Engineer, Kent PLC.

The session will be moderated by Louise Waters, Editor, Oil Review Middle East.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and position your operations for success. Book your place now and discover how Pelco can transform your approach to security.

The fossil-fuel sector offers the largest and most cost-effective opportunity for rapid methane abatement, according to the newly released Global Methane Status Report, launched on the sidelines of COP30 in Belém

Produced by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Global Methane Status Report assesses progress and remaining gaps in efforts to cut methane - a potent greenhouse gas responsible for nearly a third of current warming.

The report shows that although methane emissions are still rising, projected 2030 emissions under current legislation are already lower than earlier forecasts due to a mix of national policies, sectoral regulations, and market shifts. However, the report warns that only full-scale implementation of proven and available control measures will close the gap to the Global Methane Pledge’s target of a 30% cut from 2020 levels by 2030.

Urging decisive methane action to deliver the Global Methane Pledge, ministers attending the Global Methane Pledge Ministerial stressed that the policies, technologies, and partnerships needed to meet the target are available, but require rapid scale-up across the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. Ministers also called for increased transparency from countries on ambition and action to track progress.

Julie Dabrusin, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Co-Convener of the Global Methane Pledge, said, “This report is a crucial assessment of our progress and a key indicator of the work that’s required to meet the Global Methane Pledge goal. In just four years, we have made improvements, but we must continue to drive faster, deeper methane cuts. Every tonne reduced brings us closer to cleaner air, more resilient communities, and a thriving global economy. It is important for all countries that have agreed to the Global Methane Pledge to continue to work closely together to drive momentum on methane mitigation, turning ambition into tangible benefits for the planet.”

The fossil-fuel sector is the second largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions, responsible for approximately one third of the global total. Under current legislation, emissions from the sector are expected to rise by 8% in 2050 compared to 2020. This sector presents the single greatest potential for rapid, cost-effective methane abatement, according to the report. These reductions could be achieved through readily available technologies and practices, often at low cost.

Since the launch of the GMP, methane abatement policies in the oil and gas sector have become more innovative and widespread, while voluntary initiatives such as the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 now cover up to 45% of global oil and gas production.

The rate of policy development and country participation, however, still fall short of what is needed to achieve the 2030 targets. Implementation and enforcement must also be strengthened.

The recent adoption of novel approaches, such as the European Union import standard, offers the potential to use the market to mitigate methane in oil and gas sector more rapidly at the global scale.

Bridging the methane policy gap in the fossil fuel sector calls for strong implementation of existing policies, continuous capacity building, increased ambition from additional producing countries, ramped up technical support and innovative financial mechanisms to facilitate mitigation in developing countries.

Key measures recommended include:

• enhancing monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems across all fossil fuel operations
• expanding the use of direct measurement protocols and corroborated satellite data which could improve the accuracy and transparency of inventories
• expanding leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes in oil and gas, which not only help reduce leaks but also enhance data quality for inventories and enhance workplace safety and asset integrity;
• ensuring proper sealing techniques during well closure, given methane emissions from abandoned wells can continue for decades after activities cease;
• strengthening enforcement mechanisms with the establishment of clear accountability structures, penalties for non-compliance and independent oversight;
• facilitating access to finance and capacity building;
• harnessing import standards as market leverage, creating a clear incentive for producing countries to adopt stronger mitigation practices; and
• leveraging international and bilateral frameworks for capacity and alignment.