Kuwait is moving ahead with two projects that reflect very different but equally important national priorities, strengthening energy infrastructure while expanding specialised care for an ageing population.
The Kuwait Gulf Oil Company has rescheduled a key meeting with contractors for a planned onshore gas processing plant near the Al-Zour refinery, while the Ministry of Social Affairs has invited companies to bid for consultancy services for the Sabah Al-Ahmad Elderly Care Resort in the Capital Governorate, according to MEED.
The gas project, estimated at $3.3 billion, could become the largest contract awarded in Kuwait’s oil and gas sector in more than a decade if it proceeds as planned. The tender was floated last month, with December 29, 2026 set as the deadline for receiving bids.
The meeting with prospective contractors, initially scheduled for September 14, has now been moved to October 14. Industry sources quoting MEED said the change has not affected the bid deadline, which remains December 29.
The proposed facility is designed to process up to 632 million cubic feet of gas per day, alongside 60,000 barrels per day of condensates produced from the offshore Dorra field in the Saudi-Kuwaiti Neutral Zone.
At least seven international engineering companies had previously shown interest in the project. They include South Korea’s Samsung E&A, India’s Larsen & Toubro, Spain’s Técnicas Reunidas, Italy’s Saipem, South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Hyundai Engineering, and Japan’s JGC.
The tender is being handled under a fast-track model, meaning the Central Agency for Public Tenders will not be involved in the tendering process. The arrangement is expected to shorten procedures because the agency normally reviews technical and commercial bid evaluations and assesses whether the tender process is competitive.
Elderly care takes centre stage
Alongside the major energy investment, the planned Sabah Al-Ahmad Elderly Care Resort offers a different measure of Kuwait’s development priorities, creating specialised facilities for older people and those living with complex neurological conditions.
The Ministry of Social Affairs has invited companies to submit bids for consultancy services for the project, with December 8 set as the deadline for submissions. The proposed resort is planned to include a five-star hotel as well as specialised centres for people with Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegenerative conditions and multiple sclerosis.
The development will cover approximately 133,000 square metres and is expected to take three years to implement. Its planned facilities point to a broader model of elderly care that combines accommodation and specialised medical and social support.
The project is linked to the wider South Sabah Al-Ahmad City development, which covers about 6,150 hectares and is located around 70 kilometres south of Kuwait City. The master plan for South Sabah Al-Ahmad City was designed by UK-based Foster + Partners. The wider development includes more than 11,000 planned housing units.
For Kuwait, the elderly-care project carries significance beyond construction. The development of dedicated facilities for people with Alzheimer’s and other long-term neurological conditions could provide families with access to more specialised care and support while creating an environment designed around the needs of older residents.
Construction market holds its ground
The two projects also come as Kuwait’s construction and transport markets continue to show resilience despite regional uncertainty. MEED reported that contracts awarded across Kuwait’s construction and transport sectors reached $5.5 billion last year, close to the record $5.6 billion recorded in 2024.
The market has maintained momentum through 2026, although contract awards through July 27 stood at about $1.2 billion, below the $1.6 billion recorded during the same period last year. Despite the decline, the relatively strong level of awards suggests that Kuwait’s project market has continued to withstand pressure from regional conflicts, which have affected investor confidence and tender schedules across the Gulf.
The combination of large-scale energy infrastructure and projects focused on elderly care highlights the breadth of Kuwait’s development pipeline, from securing future energy capacity to investing in facilities aimed at meeting changing social and care needs.
The challenge now is to translate these planned investments into timely delivery, sustainable infrastructure and services that produce lasting value for Kuwait’s economy and society.
