An Oil and Gas Project Manager in UAE earns between AED 240,000 and AED 480,000 per year. The role leads engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects in oil and gas, from FEED through to commissioning. It requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, 10 to 15 years of oil and gas project experience, and PMP certification.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 240,000–480,000
Updated 2025
Oil and Gas Project Manager Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Oil and Gas Project Manager in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Manage EPC project from FEED through to mechanical completion | Per project | Project delivered within approved cost and schedule |
| Develop and maintain project execution plan (PEP) | Per project | PEP approved by project sponsor |
| Control project budget and report cost performance index (CPI) | Monthly | CPI and SPI reported in monthly progress report |
| Manage contractor and vendor performance against contract terms | Ongoing | NCRs raised and closed within agreed timeframe |
| Conduct risk reviews and maintain project risk register | Monthly | Risk register reviewed in monthly steering committee |
| Coordinate pre-commissioning, commissioning, and startup activities | Per phase | Phase completion certificates issued on time |
Oil and Gas Project Manager Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Oil and Gas Project Manager role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, or Petroleum) |
| Experience | 10 to 15 years in oil and gas with minimum 5 years as project manager on EPC contracts |
| Certifications | PMP required; PRINCE2 or APM PMQ accepted as alternatives |
| Contract management | FIDIC or NEC contract administration experience |
| Budget | Experience managing project budgets of USD 50 million or above |
| Communication | Stakeholder management, executive reporting, and contractor negotiation |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Oil and Gas Project Manager employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Oil and Gas Project Manager
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Oil and Gas Project Manager candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Oil and Gas Project Manager earn in UAE?
An Oil and Gas Project Manager in UAE earns between AED 240,000 and AED 480,000 per year. EPC project managers on large ADNOC infrastructure programmes earn AED 360,000 to AED 480,000. PMC and client-side project managers earn AED 300,000 to AED 420,000.
What contract standards are used in UAE oil and gas projects?
FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) conditions of contract are standard in UAE oil and gas projects. ADNOC uses its own general conditions of contract (GCC) based on FIDIC Yellow and Silver Books. NEC4 is used on some international joint venture projects in Abu Dhabi.
How does RFS recruit Oil and Gas Project Managers?
RFS sources Oil and Gas Project Manager candidates from its UAE and regional project delivery network. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a Project Manager (Oil and Gas) does in UAE
A Project Manager in UAE’s oil and gas sector leads the delivery of capital projects for ADNOC Group, international oil companies, or major EPC contractors, managing scope, cost, schedule, and HSE from front-end engineering through construction and handover. Your delivery record determines whether capital investment converts to production capacity on schedule.
Key responsibilities
- Lead capital project delivery from FEED through construction, commissioning, and handover
- Manage project scope, cost, and schedule baselines under ADNOC Group project control standards
- Administer EPC and EPCI contracts under FIDIC Yellow Book or NEC4 conditions
- Manage the project team including engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and HSE
- Interface with ADNOC Group PMC teams and IOC owner’s engineer representatives
- Conduct monthly project reviews and prepare status reports
- Manage project risk register and lead risk workshops aligned with ADNOC risk framework
- Oversee vendor and fabrication contractor quality assurance at UAE and international fabrication yards
- Manage MOC and document control for all project variations
- Lead project handover and systems completion in coordination with operations
Qualifications required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, civil, chemical, or petroleum)
- PMP or APM qualification preferred
- 10 to 15 years project management experience in UAE or GCC oil and gas capital projects
- Proficiency in Primavera P6 for project scheduling and earned value management
- Deep knowledge of FIDIC contract administration for oil and gas EPC projects in UAE
- ADNOC Group project management framework experience preferred
- Arabic language skills preferred for ADNOC authority and government stakeholder engagement
- Experience managing major oil and gas capital projects of AED 100,000,000 or more in UAE
Project Manager (Oil and Gas) salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| ADNOC Group capital projects or subsidiary | 420,000–700,000 |
| International oil company UAE capital team | 400,000–680,000 |
| Tier 1 EPC contractor (Technip, Saipem, McDermott UAE) | 360,000–640,000 |
| Oil and gas engineering consultancy or PMC (UAE) | 340,000–600,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Oil and gas Project Manager roles carry a 60 to 90 day notice period in UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies to your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Oil and Gas Project Manager in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Oil and Gas Project Manager candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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