Abu Dhabi-based Al Jaber Energy Services (AJES), a leading procurement and construction contractor, plans to enter new markets beyond the Gulf region after diversifying its portfolio through partnerships and joint ventures with international companies, says a senior company official.

Sherif El Kurdi, vice president for marketing and business development, says the company is aiming to become a major international player from its present role of a regional one.
“We are in the process of forging alliances and joint ventures with some international companies for technology know-how. Negotiations are on with some leading companies,” he said, without giving details about the prospective partnerships. Established in 1994, AJES is part of the privately owned Al Jaber Group.
AJES undertakes engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities related to power, water, petrochemical, oil and gas and industrial plant projects together with associated structural facilities. Recently it completed a fast-track project for Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation. The scope of work included complete revamping and refurbishing of Terminal 2 at Abu Dhabi International Airport. It has also bid for the new terminal for Etihad Airways.
The company is expanding its portfolio to include tourism and leisure development projects and is involved with some major tourism projects in Abu Dhabi.
With the regional market booming as a result of major infrastructural projects, there are huge opportunities for the company, El Kurdi says. “We are diversifying our portfolio and are confident of maintaining our leading position by focusing on companies that complement our business,” he adds.
The company is also focusing on developing managerial skills as it feels human resources are important components of a successful business. It is investing in quality and assurance procedures in people and trying to get more involved in key projects.
The company is working on the $400-million Common Sulphur Handling Project – Ras Laffan, Qatar, in partnership with the Washington Group.  It is serving as an EPC contractor and working on the pre-commissioning of a 12,000 tonnes per day molten sulphur-handling facility. The scope of work includes 42 km of insulated pipelines, two steam heated storage tanks, 11 granulator units, conveyor systems, sulphur storage buildings, stacker reclaimer units, radial ship loaders, a 290,000 cu m blocking area and pouring towers among other things.
AJES is also working on the $590-million Fujairah Water and Power project for Union Water & Electricity Company in partnership with Technip.
The company is laying a 180-km, 64-inch carbon steel transmission pipeline. The scope of work includes pipeline construction, cement mortar lining, storage tanks construction, pressure vessels, field joining/coating, cathodic protection, welding, and micro-tunnelling. The company was also involved with utilities and offsite facilities at the $172-million Borouge Petrochemical Project, in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The scope of work included industrial civil work, site preparation, pipeline construction, erection of pipe racks, buildings, interconnection and camp construction.
For the Taweelah gas receiving station and interconnecting pipelines project, the company, in association with Technip, worked on ancillary buildings, roads, site preparation, equipment installation and electrical and instrumentation work.