Engineers India Limited (EIL) is exploring new opportunities in the Gulf region as countries strengthen oil infrastructure and develop alternative routes and storage facilities. The state-owned engineering and consultancy company is in discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia for potential projects involving oil facilities, product pipelines, strategic storage, oil terminals and marine infrastructure. According to Chairman Atul Gupta, EIL expects to build an order pipeline of around $1 billion from the Gulf region over the next two to three years.
Gulf Nations Plan New Oil Infrastructure
The discussions come as Gulf countries assess infrastructure requirements amid disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. EIL is involved at the planning stage of several potential projects and is preparing to support the engineering requirements as they progress. “We are already equipped with the engineering skills to cater to those requirements as and when it comes. They (Saudi Arabia and UAE) are planning (on oil infrastructure projects) and we are already involved at the planning stage to assist for such upcoming projects,” Gupta said. The company expects these projects to include infrastructure designed to support oil transportation, storage and marine operations while providing alternatives to routes affected by regional disruptions.
UAE Explores Underground Oil Storage
Meanwhile, the UAE is planning additional underground oil storage facilities at Fujairah, according to Gupta. Fujairah is an important oil storage and trading hub outside the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, investments in additional storage and associated infrastructure could strengthen the UAE’s ability to manage oil supplies and logistics. EIL’s engineering and consultancy capabilities could support such projects as they move from planning to execution.
Conflict Creates Both Challenges and Opportunities
The West Asia conflict has affected EIL’s order inflows from the Middle East. However, the changing infrastructure requirements are also creating new opportunities for the company. As Gulf countries assess energy security, storage capacity and alternative infrastructure, EIL is positioning itself to participate in projects related to oil transportation, storage and terminals.
EIL Expands International Presence
Alongside its Gulf operations, Engineers India has expanded its international presence across several markets. The company currently has activities in Nigeria, Mongolia, Guyana, the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria and Kuwait. As reported by moneycontrol.com, through this wider international footprint, EIL aims to leverage its engineering and consultancy expertise across energy infrastructure projects while pursuing new opportunities in the global oil and gas market.
