This deal represents the first time that the KOC contract has been awarded to a non-US company. Previous project managers for the fields were Parsons and Bechtel.

The contract, which is for a five-year term (with an option to extend that period by another two years), will see AMEC project manage KOC’s upstream oil assets in the south of Kuwait where the Middle Eastern firm hopes to optimise existing oil fields using improved recovery techniques.

Under the terms of the agreement, AMEC is responsible for assessing the southern fields (and recommend how to improve them), develop the budgets, draw up the contacts, oversee all engineering work and provide environmental consultancy, risk management and training.

AMEC will also be responsible for the infrastructure that will support the 5,000 staff working in the region. The value of the contract has not been revealed.

Understandably, AMEC chief executive Peter Mason was pleased with the contract. According to Mason, “We are delighted to be supporting KOC on this exciting and complex contract. This win endorses our expertise in oil and gas, project management and the Middle East, where we already have extensive operations.”