Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR), a global leader in energy technology, has received a multi-year contract from Aramco to expand integrated underbalanced coiled tubing drilling (UBCTD) operations across Saudi Arabia’s natural gas fields. The agreement, booked in the third quarter of 2025, will see the company increase its UBCTD fleet from four to ten units, supporting both re-entry and new field development projects throughout the Kingdom.
As part of the expanded partnership, Baker Hughes will deliver a complete range of integrated solutions covering coiled tubing drilling units, underbalanced drilling services, well construction, operational management, and geoscience support. These capabilities aim to optimize Aramco’s access to hydrocarbons in both mature and greenfield reservoirs, boosting efficiency and productivity in the country’s gas sector.
“This project reflects nearly 20 years of successful collaboration between Baker Hughes and Aramco, setting benchmarks for UBCTD performance,” said Amerino Gatti, Executive Vice President of Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes. “By combining advanced technologies with integrated project delivery, we’re helping Aramco efficiently reach complex reservoirs and enhance gas production. This expansion also paves the way for future innovation in UBCTD worldwide.”
Baker Hughes’ UBCTD operations will leverage its proprietary CoilTrak™ bottomhole assembly system and reservoir insights from GaffneyCline™, enabling precise subsurface navigation and improved control during horizontal drilling and re-entry work. The integrated approach enhances production speed, safety, and reservoir protection compared to traditional drilling techniques, ensuring more sustainable and cost-effective field development.
The new agreement underscores Baker Hughes’ long-standing presence and operational success in Saudi Arabia since its entry into the UBCTD market in 2008. The company has consistently maintained exemplary health, safety, and environmental performance while achieving high operational efficiency with its existing fleet. Work on the expanded UBCTD operations is set to begin in 2026, reinforcing Baker Hughes’ commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s energy goals with advanced technology and global expertise.
