Italy-based Saipem has announced that it has won two contracts worth over $3.4 billion from Saudi Aramco for the development of land facilities of the Berri and Marjan gas fields, in the Arabian Gulf.

The projects have been awarded to the Onshore E&C division of Saipem and will encompass engineering, procurement, construction and installation services for the Saudi oil company.

The first contract for the Berri field called, ‘PK-01 Expand Abu Ali Crude & KGP Gas Facilities’, will involve expansion through the installation of new process units, of the Abu Ali oil-gas separation plant. It is located at the Abu Ali island, about 50 km north of the Ras Tanura refinery, and of the gas treatment plant of Khursaniyah.

The second contract, ‘Gas Treatment and Sulphur Recovery’ is related to the Marjan field and will concern the construction of a gas treatment unit and of another unit for the recovery of acid gases for sulphur production.

According to a statement from Saipem, the treatment of acid gases will almost completely eliminate the release of sulphur oxides into the environment, while more than 99.9 per cent of gases will be recovered.

Stefano Cao, CEO of Saipem said: “The awarding of these new complex contracts testifies to the evolution of our historic relationship with Saudi Aramco and confirms the strategic positioning of Saipem in the Middle East.”

“This commitment allows for the realisation of industrial processes to exploit natural resources with maximum respect for the environment and the reduction of the carbon footprint,” he concluded.