CB&I's (global EPC firm) Asset Solutions business has won a new well engineering services contract with Cosmo E&P Albahriya Limited in the United Arab Emirates, the company announced on July 29, 2026, continuing its expansion across the Middle East region.

Contract Scope and Block Background

The agreement between CB&I Asset Solutions and Cosmo E&P Albahriya Limited will cover drilling, engineering, planning, and operational activities for Offshore Block 4 in Abu Dhabi.

The block was exclusively awarded to Cosmo through Abu Dhabi's second competitive bidding round for the exploration, development and production of oil and gas. CB&I's UAE-based team will be responsible for delivering well engineering solutions drawing on both local and global experience throughout the duration of the contract.

The announcement was made from Aberdeen, United Kingdom, where CB&I's Asset Solutions business is headquartered. Asset Solutions was formerly part of Petrofac before becoming part of the CB&I corporate structure. CB&I itself is owned by a consortium of financial investors led by Mason Capital Management LLC.

Strategic Significance for CB&I in the Middle East

The contract award forms part of CB&I's stated strategy to expand its Asset Solutions services in selected geographies, with the UAE identified as a priority growth market. According to the company, the win strengthens Asset Solutions' position in the Middle East and establishes new relationships with key regional operators.

John Pearson, Chief Operating Officer of CB&I Asset Solutions, described the UAE as a growth market and pointed to the company's track record in the region as central to securing the award.

"The UAE continues to be a growth market for our Asset Solutions business as part of our strategy to expand services in selected geographies," Pearson said. "This award is testament to our respect for Wells capability and track record in the region, alongside our commitment to safe and efficient service delivery. We look forward to partnering with Cosmo to support their goals for the block."

CB&I operates through two global business units. Storage Solutions focuses on tanks, terminals, and storage systems, while Asset Solutions provides operations, management, wells, and decommissioning services.

The company describes its overall mission as delivering integrated storage and asset management solutions to help customers operate safely, reliably and efficiently across the lifecycle of their facilities.

Cosmo's Exploration Ambitions in Abu Dhabi

Cosmo E&P Albahriya Limited, the entity awarded exploration rights to Offshore Block 4, expressed confidence in the partnership. Hisato Ishii, General Manager of Cosmo E&P Albahriya Limited, said the company values CB&I's expertise and capability as it embarks on its exploration activities in the block.

"We are pleased to work with CB&I for our exploration journey in Offshore Block 4," Ishii said. "We value CB&I's expertise and capability to support our drilling, engineering, planning, and operational activities, and look forward to collaborating to execute the campaign safely and efficiently."

Both parties cited shared goals around safe, stable, and environmentally conscious production as a foundation for the working relationship. The language used by both CB&I and Cosmo emphasizes the importance of safe execution as a guiding principle for the campaign.

Abu Dhabi's Competitive Bidding Process

The contract with CB&I follows Cosmo's earlier success in Abu Dhabi's second competitive bidding round, through which it secured exclusive rights to Offshore Block 4 for the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas.

The competitive bidding round is part of Abu Dhabi's broader effort to attract international operators to develop its offshore hydrocarbon resources. CB&I's engagement with Cosmo positions Asset Solutions as a technical partner from the outset of Cosmo's exploration campaign in the block.

The award represents CB&I's continued involvement in Abu Dhabi's upstream sector, building on existing capabilities and relationships in the UAE. According to CB&I, the company's UAE-based team will lead delivery of the well engineering scope, combining local knowledge with the broader global resources available across the Asset Solutions business.

CB&I's Broader Asset Solutions Business

Asset Solutions, the CB&I division securing this latest contract, is described by the company as a leading provider of operations, management, wells and decommissioning services.

The business was formerly part of Petrofac before its integration into CB&I's structure. In addition to its Middle East operations, Asset Solutions has also been active in the North Sea, having recently secured a further contract with EnQuest to continue managing the Kittiwake asset, according to other announcements from the same source.

CB&I presents Asset Solutions and Storage Solutions as complementary global business units that together provide technical excellence and execution capability to extend asset life, optimize performance and maximize value for customers across the lifecycle of their facilities.

The Abu Dhabi wells contract represents the latest step in CB&I's geographic expansion strategy for Asset Solutions, with the Middle East and UAE specifically identified as regions where the company intends to deepen its presence and grow its portfolio of services.

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