KHOBAR: Saudi Aramco has signed contracts with two consortiums of Saudi and foreign firms to carry out engineering work in the world's largest oil exporter. New contracts, called long-term new general engineering services plus (GES+), aim to allow local companies to enter joint ventures with international firms to provide engineering, project management and technology services. One consortium groups US Mustang International with three Saudi-based firms - Al-Hejailan Consultants, Dar Al-Riyadh and PI-Consult - Aramco said Friday. The second consortium includes US-based Foster Wheeler along with Saudi-based Al-Saihati, A. Fattani & O. Al-Othman Consulting Engineering Co (Sofcon) and Saudi Consolidated Engineering Co. (SCEC). The five-year deals can be extended, Aramco said, adding it expected to award GES+ deals to other companies that took part in the bidding process. Detailed preliminary engineering work for Aramco's mega projects has so far been conducted by international firms, sources had said. The move is part of the Aramco's plan to develop the domestic engineering sector as well as create more jobs for Saudi nationals.
