Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, has announced an award from Aramco to expand its integrated underbalanced coiled tubing drilling (UBCTD) operations across Saudi Arabia’s natural gas fields. The order was booked in the third quarter of 2025.
Under the multi-year agreement, Baker Hughes will increase its UBCTD fleet from four to ten units, supporting both re-entry and greenfield drilling projects across multiple fields in the Kingdom. The company will deliver fully integrated solutions, encompassing coiled tubing drilling units, underbalanced drilling services, operational management, well construction, and geosciences. This approach aims to accelerate gas access from both new and mature fields while optimising operational efficiency.
“This project is the result of nearly two decades of successful collaboration between Baker Hughes and Aramco, which have set the standard for UBCTD,” said Amerino Gatti, executive vice president of Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes. “By combining advanced technologies with a holistic, integrated approach, we can support Aramco in efficiently accessing bypassed and hard-to-reach hydrocarbons, enabling the Kingdom to continue to thrive. This expansion lays the groundwork for further innovation in UBCTD, shaping the future of oil and gas production worldwide.”
Baker Hughes’ UBCTD offering features its industry-leading CoilTrak™ bottomhole assembly (BHA) system and enhanced reservoir analysis powered by GaffneyCline™ energy advisory. This combination enables precise subsurface navigation during horizontal drilling and re-entry operations. By integrating these technologies with comprehensive project management services, Baker Hughes enhances production efficiency, speed, and safety while minimising reservoir damage compared to traditional methods.
The agreement further strengthens Baker Hughes’ longstanding presence and proven track record in Saudi Arabia, where it has operated in the UBCTD market since 2008. Maintaining a strong health, safety, and environment (HSE) performance, the company continues to deliver operational excellence through its existing four UBCTD units. Work under the expanded agreement is expected to begin in 2026.
For more information visit www.bakerhughes.com
