Saipem
Italian multinational engineering and construction contractor serving the energy industry, with extensive capabilities in offshore, subsea, drilling, pipelines and energy-transition projects.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Saipem is an Italian multinational engineering, procurement, construction and installation company whose origins lie in the development of Italy's postwar energy infrastructure. Established in 1957 through the merger of Saip, an Agip drilling company, and Snam Montaggi, it became closely associated with Eni and helped build the technical capabilities needed for Italy's domestic and international oil and gas expansion. Its work has included drilling, offshore platforms, subsea systems, long-distance pipelines, gas infrastructure, floating production units and large-scale onshore facilities. The company operates across the energy-project value chain. Its traditional activities include engineering and project management, procurement, fabrication, installation, offshore construction, drilling services and operation of specialized vessels and rigs. Saipem has historically undertaken complex projects in difficult environments, including deep water, remote regions and politically sensitive markets. Its fleet and assets have included heavy-lift and pipelay vessels, semi-submersible drilling rigs, drillships, jack-up rigs and floating production units. Important capabilities were expanded through the acquisition of Bouygues Offshore in 2002 and the 2006 merger with Snamprogetti, which strengthened Saipem's engineering, gas-processing and hydrocarbon-transportation expertise. Among its notable infrastructure projects are portions of the Central European Line, the Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline, the Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline, Blue Stream, Greenstream, the Dolphin Gas Project and Nord Stream 1. The company has also delivered or supported major developments in Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Australia, Qatar, Angola and other producing regions. Its offshore fleet includes assets such as Saipem 7000, one of the world's best-known heavy-lift construction vessels, and the Scarabeo series of deepwater drilling units. Saipem's relationship with Eni changed materially in 2016, when Eni sold a 12.5% stake to CDP Equity while retaining approximately 30%. The transaction supported a more autonomous corporate identity and a stronger positioning as an independent oilfield-services and engineering contractor. Saipem later began exploring energy-transition activities, including airborne wind-energy technology through a 2019 agreement with KiteGen, while continuing to derive a substantial part of its business from conventional and lower-carbon energy infrastructure. The company is headquartered near Milan and maintains operations or offices in more than 60 countries through a broad network of subsidiaries, joint ventures and consortia. In 2024, Saipem announced major contracts for TotalEnergies' Kaminho deepwater project offshore Angola. Its current leadership is headed by Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Alessandro Puliti, with Elisabetta Serafin serving as chair of the board. Saipem remains a listed Italian energy-services company, exposed to the investment cycles, commodity outlook, regulatory conditions and geopolitical risks affecting the global energy sector.
History
Saipem emerged from the industrial expansion of Italy's postwar energy sector. During the 1950s, Eni and its affiliates were building domestic capabilities in natural gas, drilling and infrastructure. Snam Montaggi, formed in 1955 to work on pipelines and drilling platforms, and Saip, an Agip drilling company, were combined in 1957 to create Saipem. The new company became an important instrument for developing Italian energy infrastructure and for exporting Italian engineering expertise. Saipem quickly moved into offshore work and international pipeline construction. It began drilling off Gela, Sicily, in 1959, and participated in the Central European Line linking the port of Genoa with West Germany. In the early 1960s it constructed a 1,140-kilometre oil pipeline in India and a gas pipeline in Iraq. These projects established the company's reputation for operating across borders and in technically demanding conditions. During the 1970s and 1980s, Saipem expanded its offshore construction and pipeline capabilities. It developed major specialized vessels, including the semi-submersible pipelay vessel Castoro Sei, and worked on the IGAT-2 pipeline in Iran, although construction was halted before completion because of the Iran–Iraq War. Saipem completed the Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline in 1983, linking Algerian gas supplies with Italy. A joint venture with Brown & Root, European Marine Contractors, subsequently delivered the Zeepipe system from the North Sea to Belgium and a gas trunkline linking Hong Kong with the Yancheng 13-1 field in China. The company continued to build its offshore fleet and international project portfolio in the 1990s. Saipem 7000 began operating in 1991 and became one of the world's largest crane vessels. The Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline was completed in 1996, while Saipem served as principal contractor for Europipe I and Europipe II, which connected Norwegian gas supplies with Germany. These projects reinforced its position in large-scale gas transportation and offshore construction. In the early twenty-first century, Saipem used acquisitions and corporate combinations to broaden its technology base. It acquired Bouygues Offshore in 2002 for approximately US$1 billion. In 2006, it merged with Snamprogetti, an Eni subsidiary specializing in the design and execution of major hydrocarbon-production and transportation projects. The combination expanded Saipem's reach in West Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia and added engineering expertise in gas monetization and heavy-oil projects. From 2001 to 2011, the company contributed to several prominent gas-export systems. It built the offshore section of Blue Stream between Russia and Turkey, constructed Greenstream between Libya and Sicily, completed subsea lines for the Dolphin Gas Project between Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, and laid the two 1,220-kilometre offshore lines of Nord Stream 1 between Russia and Germany. Saipem also expanded its drilling fleet with sixth-generation ultra-deepwater semi-submersibles Scarabeo 8 and Scarabeo 9. The 2010s brought major project awards in Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Australia. The Egina project in Nigeria included flowlines, jumpers, gas-export pipelines, umbilicals, mooring and offloading systems. At Kashagan in Kazakhstan, Saipem was selected to build pipelines between Caspian offshore facilities and the mainland. In Australia, it completed the offshore gas-export pipeline for the Ichthys LNG project, described at the time as the longest subsea pipeline in the Southern Hemisphere. Saipem's corporate relationship with Eni changed in 2016. Eni transferred a 12.5% holding to CDP Equity while retaining approximately 30%, supporting a more independent strategy and a separate corporate brand. The company continued to serve oil and gas customers while also investigating newer energy technologies. In 2019, it entered the airborne wind-energy field through an agreement with KiteGen. Saipem's history has also included legal and reputational challenges. It paid a US$30 million penalty in 2010 in relation to a Nigerian bribery investigation and was convicted in Italy in 2018 in an Algeria corruption case. The Milan Court of Appeal acquitted the company and the managers involved in 2020. In 2024, Saipem's board appointed Elisabetta Serafin as chair and Alessandro Puliti as chief executive officer and general manager. The company remains a listed global contractor with offices and subsidiaries across more than 60 countries, combining conventional energy infrastructure with selected energy-transition activities.
- 2024
Kaminho contracts awarded
[1]Saipem secured three contracts for TotalEnergies' Kaminho deepwater development offshore Angola.
- 2019
Entry into airborne wind energy
[1]Saipem entered the airborne wind-energy and energy-kite field through an agreement with KiteGen.
- 2016
Ownership structure changes
[1]CDP Equity acquired a 12.5% stake from Eni, while Eni retained approximately 30% and Saipem adopted a more autonomous identity.
- 2011
Nord Stream 1 sealines completed
[1]Saipem completed the two offshore gas pipelines forming the Nord Stream 1 system.
- 2006
Snamprogetti merger
[1]Saipem merged with Eni subsidiary Snamprogetti, adding major project-design and gas-processing capabilities.
- 2002
Bouygues Offshore acquired
[1]Saipem acquired Bouygues Offshore, expanding its offshore engineering and construction platform.
- 1991
Saipem 7000 enters operation
[1]The heavy-lift crane vessel Saipem 7000 began operating.
- 1983
Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline completed
[1]Saipem completed construction of the pipeline linking Algerian gas infrastructure with Italy.
- 1978
Castoro Sei development
[1]Saipem developed the Castoro Sei semi-submersible pipelay vessel and was commissioned for work on Iran's IGAT-2 pipeline.
- 1961
Indian pipeline project completed
[1]The company built a 1,140-kilometre oil pipeline in India.
Products and positioning
A globally active engineering and construction specialist for complex energy infrastructure, combining offshore construction, subsea installation, drilling, pipeline and onshore project capabilities.
Engineering and construction services
Offshore engineering and construction
Saipem designs, fabricates and installs offshore platforms, subsea production systems, mooring arrangements, flowlines, umbilicals and related infrastructure. Its work covers engineering, procurement, construction, transportation, installation and pre-commissioning for shallow-water and deepwater developments.
Pipeline infrastructure
Pipeline and sealine systems
The company constructs long-distance onshore pipelines and offshore sealines for crude oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbons. Saipem's projects have included cross-border transportation systems, export lines, trunklines and connections between offshore fields and coastal terminals.
Oilfield services
Drilling services
Saipem provides offshore drilling through semi-submersible rigs, drillships and jack-up units. Its fleet has included the Scarabeo deepwater rigs, Saipem 10000 and Saipem 12000 drillships, and Perro Negro jack-up platforms, alongside chartered units.
Industrial engineering
Onshore energy facilities
Through its engineering and project-execution activities, Saipem develops onshore facilities for gas processing, hydrocarbon treatment, transportation and energy production. The Snamprogetti combination strengthened capabilities in gas monetization and complex process plants.
Offshore production
Floating production infrastructure
Saipem participates in the design, construction, installation and operation of floating production systems and related offshore facilities. Its historical portfolio has included FPSO-related assets and projects supporting oil production in West Africa and other offshore regions.
Renewable energy technology · 2019
Airborne wind-energy systems
In 2019, Saipem entered the airborne wind-energy field through cooperation with KiteGen. The activity reflects the company's effort to apply its engineering and industrial capabilities beyond conventional oil and gas, although the available reference material does not establish a broad commercial product range.
Controversies
2022
Algiers court fines Saipem companies
An Algiers court issued a first-instance ruling fining Saipem, Saipem Contracting Algérie and Snamprogetti Algeria Branch 192 million euros over the allocation of the GNL3 Arzew project in 2008. The companies said they would appeal; the source also reports Saipem said the fine was suspended pending appeal.
2021
Rivers State files criminal charges against Saipem companies
In November 2021, the Rivers State Government brought criminal charges against Saipem SPA and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd. The charges alleged conspiracy to cheat and intent to defraud the state of $130 million in advance payments made for a power plant project. The allegations were reported as charges brought by the state and were not presented as a court determination. The source did not report any verdict, ruling, or final outcome in the matter.
2020
Acquittal in Algeria case
The Milan Court of Appeal acquitted Saipem and the managers involved in the Algeria corruption case.
2018
Algeria corruption conviction
An Italian court convicted Saipem and former chief executive Pietro Tali over alleged bribes connected with Algerian business. The company was subject to seizure of approximately €197.9 million, while Tali received a prison sentence. The conviction was overturned on appeal.
2010
Nigeria LNG bribery investigation
Saipem agreed to pay a US$30 million penalty to settle a Nigerian investigation concerning alleged bribery linked to the construction of Nigeria LNG facilities. Related proceedings were also pursued in Italy.
Brand decisions
2024
Secure Kaminho development contractsOtherBackground
TotalEnergies and its partners advanced the deepwater development of the Cameia and Golfinho fields offshore Angola.
Action taken
Saipem secured three contracts covering work on the Kaminho project.
Aftermath
The awards reinforced Saipem's position in large deepwater developments and expanded its Angolan project backlog.
Combined contract value. US$3.7 billion (May 2024)
2019
Enter airborne wind energyStrategyBackground
Saipem explored opportunities to apply its engineering capabilities to emerging energy-transition technologies.
Action taken
The company entered the airborne wind-energy sector through an agreement with KiteGen.
Aftermath
The agreement expanded Saipem's stated technology interests beyond conventional oil and gas services.
2016
Increase corporate autonomy from EniStrategyBackground
Eni adjusted its ownership while Saipem sought to be recognized more clearly as an independent oilfield-services company.
Action taken
Eni transferred a 12.5% stake to CDP Equity, retained approximately 30%, and Saipem replaced its former Eni-linked visual identity.
Aftermath
Saipem operated with a more distinct brand and ownership structure while maintaining Eni as a significant shareholder.
Stake transferred by Eni. 12.5% (2016)
2006
Merge with SnamprogettiM&ABackground
Saipem aimed to broaden its engineering, gas-processing and large-project execution capabilities.
Action taken
Saipem merged with Eni subsidiary Snamprogetti.
Aftermath
The combined group gained stronger positions in gas monetization, heavy-oil exploitation and several international markets.
2002
Acquire Bouygues OffshoreM&ABackground
Saipem sought to expand its offshore engineering and construction scale and international reach.
Action taken
The company acquired Bouygues Offshore for approximately US$1 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Saipem's offshore project and construction capabilities.
Reported acquisition value. US$1 billion (2002)
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Algerian tribunal fines Saipem over alleged corruption case[6]
The Tribunal of Algiers fined Saipem $218 million in a first-degree decision concerning alleged corruption in the 2008 GNL3 Arzew tender. Saipem said it plans to appeal; payment is suspended pending appeal.
Reported
Algiers court fines Saipem companies[5]
An Algiers court issued a first-instance ruling fining Saipem, Saipem Contracting Algérie and Snamprogetti Algeria Branch 192 million euros over the allocation of the GNL3 Arzew project in 2008. The companies said they would appeal; the source also reports Saipem said the fine was suspended pending appeal.
Reported
Rivers State brings criminal charges against Saipem companies[4]
The Rivers State Government brought criminal charges against Saipem SPA and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd, alleging conspiracy to cheat and intent to defraud the state of $130 million in advance payments for a power plant project. The allegations are not presented as a court determination.
Reported
Saipem launches SUISO green-hydrogen platform[7]
Saipem announced the launch of SUISO, a technological solution combining renewable energy sources to power electrolysers for green hydrogen production.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Saipem acquires CO2 Solutions technology and assets[8]
Saipem acquired CO2 Solutions’ proprietary CO2-capture technology, intellectual property portfolio and Saint-Félicien plant, and took on CSI employees.
Reported
Saipem acquires CO2-capture assets from CO2 Solutions[9]
Saipem acquired CO2 Solutions' proprietary CO2-capture technology, intellectual property portfolio, and a CO2-capture plant in Québec, and took on CSI employees to continue R&D activities and operations.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Saipem receives Total Safety Award[10]
Saipem received the Total Safety Award for its confined space management system, developed in Nigeria for the Egina project in collaboration with Total.
Sources10 sources
- 1Saipemen.wikipedia.org
- 2Saipem corporate governancesaipem.com
- 3Saipem corporate websitesaipem.com
- 4Rivers State files criminal charges against Saipem companiesthetidenewsonline.com
- 5Algiers court fines Saipem companiesansa.it
- 6Algiers court fines Saipem companiesrigzone.com
- 7Saipem推出SUISO绿色氢能平台chemengonline.com
- 8Saipem收购CO2 Solutions技术及资产process-worldwide.com
- 9Saipem 收购 CO2 Solutions 的二氧化碳捕集资产chemengonline.com
- 10Saipem获得Total安全奖offshore-mag.com
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