Abdulla Fouad Group (AFG) has announced the acquisition of a number of oil and gas joint ventures, agencies and facilities from the Shoaibi Group (SG) to expand its presence in serving the Saudi Arabian energy market.

AFG has successfully reached an agreement with the SG to acquire, subject to certain consents and regulatory approvals, a wide ranging portfolio of joint ventures offering products, services and facilities to the Saudi energy market. The portfolio represents an established local footprint with strong international partners participating in the unprecedented investment and development program currently underway in Saudi Arabia.

The acquired portfolio consists of many world-renowned companies in their respective areas of operations, which include testing and inspection, off-shore support vessels and services, dredging and reclamation, seismic survey, geotechnical services, reservoir analysis and optimization, exploration and production, and oil and gas field equipment and supplies. The transaction also includes the acquisition of a 50,000 m2 state-of-the-art industrial park located in the second industrial city in Dammam, which serves as a base for the newly added ventures.

AFG Chairman Sheikh Abdulla Fouad congratulated the Shoaibi family and thanked all parties involved for successfully closing this transaction. He said: “We have been involved in the O & G sector since our inception, and it gives me great joy to see that our aspiration of increasing our footprint in the sector has materialized.”

Zahid Khawaja, CEO of AFG stated: “This acquisition represents an important milestone in our growth plans through increased exposure to the Saudi Arabian oil and gas market, which continues to be robust and poised for unprecedented growth over the next few years. This acquisition also provides a strong platform to encourage more leading international product and services providers to partner with AFG at this exciting time in the market.”

Mark Jenkins, CEO of SG stated: “I am pleased that as a result of this portfolio sale SG will be able to further its diversification strategy and expand its investment in renewables, education, training, recruitment, health care and food retail; as well as continuing to participate in the oil, gas, petrochemical, telecoms and insurance markets. I wish Zahid and his team every success in the growth of AFG; a company with an outstanding history and reputation.”