The joint venture between the Australian companies and the Qatari contracting firm beat some of the world’s leading suppliers of operations and maintenance contracts to win the deal. RasGas, formed in 2001, is 70% owned by Qatar Petroleum and 30 per cent owned by ExxonMobil. It provides operations and management services to the Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co Ltd in Qatar.

The gasfields being developed by RasGas are similar in size to Western Australia’s North West Shelf, according to Worley.

Following its recent acquisition of engineering services company Parsons E&C Corporation, Worley now has more 1000 employees in the Middle East.

Transfield is also looking at expanding its Middle East business. The company said the contract would offer a strategic stepping stone to build its oil and gas business outside Australia and New Zealand. It was also planning to expand its operations in South East Asia.

“This builds on Transfield Services’ position as one of Australia’s leading suppliers of outsourced operations and maintenance services and confirms progress on our offshore expansion strategy,” said Transfield managing director Peter Watson said.

“There is increasing demand for operations and maintenance services work in Asia and the Middle East and we are very interested in taking up similar contracts and expanding our presences in these regions.”

The contract would help RasGas lower its cost base while improving the efficiency of its operations and maintenance at the Qatar plant, Watson added.

RasGas, formed in 2001 is 70% owned by QP and 30% owned by ExxonMobil. It provides operations and management services to Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co Ltd in Qatar, which borders Saudi Arabia.

The Transfield/Worley/Trags consortium is held 27.5 per each by Transfield Services and Worley, and 45 per cent by Trags. Worley was up two cents at $5.15 at midday AEDT on Wedneday. Transfield shares had an initial surge, reaching $6.32 on Tuesday but fell back to $6.13 by midday Wednesday.