By: Oil & gas Middle east

Energy company Penspen has announced record-breaking performance in the Middle East and Africa, securing project management consultancy and engineering contracts worth more than $400 million so far this year.

The business has delivered around 25% annual growth, fuelled by a deliberate strategic focus on the Middle East and growing momentum across Africa.

The latest contract awards, spanning upstream and midstream oil and gas, greenfield developments, and brownfield redevelopments, underline strong regional demand for Penspen’s engineering, project management, and asset integrity expertise. While most individual client names remain confidential, the scope includes major national oil companies (NOCs) in the Middle East, covering both onshore and offshore energy infrastructure.

Penspen is capitalising on the region’s latest wave of oil and gas expansion, with a series of wins across some of the most dynamic energy markets in the world. In conversation with Oil & Gas Middle East, Penspen Executive VP for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, Neale Carter, says the company’s success reflects the strength of current opportunities and the enduring momentum of the sector.

Penspen executive VP for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific Neale Carter
“There’s a really healthy mix of opportunity out there, across both greenfield and brownfield developments, which is driven by continued investment in energy security and infrastructure resilience. The Middle East remains one of the most active markets globally, and the pace of development is incredible,” he enthuses.

Carter notes that Penspen’s strategic decision to refocus on the region after the pandemic paid off. “Our decision to refocus on the Middle East post-Covid is absolutely the right one. By concentrating our efforts here, we grow significantly year on year, around 25% on average, and build a reputation for quality and consistency with our clients.”

This growth is anchored by surging demand for asset integrity services as national oil companies and operators seek to extend the life and efficiency of maturing facilities, Carter explains, describing asset integrity as a core pillar of Penspen’s business and one that becomes increasingly important as the region’s energy infrastructure evolves.

“Asset integrity has always been fundamental to what we do. We work closely with national and international energy companies to help them keep their assets performing safely and reliably, often in very challenging environments. As many facilities mature, there is a real focus on extending asset life and improving performance, and that’s where our engineering and project management teams add real value,” he says.

While opportunity is abundant, Carter notes that the Middle East’s vast and complex energy landscape also brings unique challenges. Harsh environments, extreme temperatures, and remote locations all add layers of complexity to large-scale projects.

“Delivering major projects in the Middle East is always exciting, but it is not without its challenges. The environments can be extreme, both onshore and offshore, and the logistics of mobilising large, multi-disciplinary teams can be complex,” Carter explains.

He adds that Penspen’s strong local presence becomes a decisive advantage in meeting those challenges. “We’ve built offices and teams on the ground in places like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, so we can respond quickly and work closely with clients. That proximity, combined with our engineering depth, makes a real difference,” he says.

Additionally, safety and reliability remain at the core of Penspen’s operations, underpinning every design, engineering, and project management decision.

“For us, safety and reliability aren’t boxes to tick; they’re part of our DNA. Our engineers are highly experienced in designing and managing complex infrastructure, from pipelines and tanks to large processing facilities. We have rigorous quality management systems, and our project management teams are hands-on from day one. It is about designing out risk as early as possible and maintaining close oversight throughout execution,” Carter adds.

That approach ensures long-term integrity and client trust, particularly as Penspen navigates a growing mix of greenfield and brownfield work. The company’s ability to adapt between the two gives it a strong advantage, according to Carter.

He explains that greenfield projects are about “creating something entirely new”, which means there is a focus on design innovation and efficiency right from the start. Brownfield redevelopments, on the other hand, are more about working within existing constraints to upgrade or repurpose infrastructure while minimising disruption.

“That requires a lot of engineering creativity and planning, and, because we work across both, we can bring lessons from one to the other; applying new technologies and methodologies to optimise delivery and cost efficiency,” he explains.

Technology also plays a growing role in how Penspen delivers projects. Carter admits that the industry, as a whole, still has ground to cover in terms of digital transformation but says Penspen pushes forward with purpose.

“We’re working with several technology partners and developing our own digital tools to improve how we manage projects. Things like predictive planning, remote monitoring, and advanced modelling help us reduce operational risk and drive efficiency. It’s about using technology smartly to deliver better outcomes: faster, safer, and more sustainably,” he adds.

Looking ahead, Carter expects the region to remain a global energy powerhouse but notes that there will be an increasing emphasis on efficiency and sustainability.

“I think we continue to see strong investment in infrastructure and a real drive for energy security. At the same time, there is a definite shift towards efficiency, sustainability, and integration with the wider energy transition,” he says.

The Middle East, he adds, continues to lead in oil and gas while showing greater appetite for technologies that make projects cleaner and more efficient.

“For Penspen, that’s a great space to be in; it plays to our strengths as both an engineering partner and an innovator,” he concludes.