UK-based welding and coating specialist CRC Evans announced that it has secured a major contract for the Master Gas stem III (MGS III) pipeline network expansion in Saudi Arabia, further cementing its presence in the Middle East energy sector.

The company will execute the welding and construction for Package 9 of the massive infrastructure project, which is spearheaded by the state-owned oil giant Aramco. The contract involves work on a significant 150-kilometer (93-mile) segment of a 56-inch pipeline.

According to a press statement, CRC Evans plans to use its specialized, proprietary equipment, including Internal Welding Technology and Dual Torch Systems, to complete the work. 

These specialized services will be managed and supported from the company’s regional base in Dammam.

The new contract award comes on the heels of the company’s successful completion of Package 4 of the same expansion program, highlighting Aramco's confidence in the firm's execution capabilities.

Mauro Piasere, Chief Executive of CRC Evans, stated that the award strengthens the company's expansion strategy in the region. 

He emphasized that the contract reflects "the trust placed in CRC Evans to deliver innovative solutions that advance the region’s energy ambitions" in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Indian engineering and construction firm  Larsen & Toubro (L&T) announced in September that it had completed engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) for a 120-kilometer stretch of a 56-inch pipeline, part of the major MGS Package 8 project, paving the way for Package 9. 

The Master Gas System III program is one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant energy infrastructure initiatives, aimed at adding 3.2 billion standard cubic feet (scfd) per day to the system’s capacity, boosting the network’s total capacity to about 15.7 billion scfd.

Designed to substantially increase the kingdom’s overall gas transmission capacity, the project involves 4,153 kilometers (over 2,580 miles) of new gas transport pipelines across the East-West corridor.

It also includes upgrades to existing compression systems and the installation of new compressor stations. The expanded pipeline capacity is vital for providing energy to industrial, utility, and other key sectors across the country.