Walk through a modern refinery or offshore vessel and you’ll see a pattern: more and more of the plant is arriving as modules. Pre-assembled units (PAUs), packaged skids and prefab control rooms are being shipped in from across the globe and slotted into place.

The idea is clear - build faster, reduce on-site risks and control quality at the factory. But in practice, modular execution in EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) projects brings its own set of challenges: shipments delayed at port, mismatched standards, or modules that don’t align perfectly during installation.

Without strong governance, “modular efficiency” can quickly turn into project overruns.

Why Modularisation Stumbles in EPC ?

The stakes in oil & gas and marine projects are higher than in traditional construction. When modular execution goes wrong, the costs multiply:

• Global Supply Chains: Modules may be fabricated in Asia, shipped to the Middle East and integrated offshore - introducing complex logistics risks.

• Certification Gaps: Compliance with ABS, DNV-GL and local regulators often creates bottlenecks when not planned early.

• Interface Risks: A skid designed in isolation may not integrate seamlessly with site systems, leading to costly rework.

• Schedule Compression: Modular projects are often sold as “faster,” but if the site isn’t ready when modules arrive, delays outweigh the benefits.

Where PMOs Add Value

A Project Management Office (PMO) provides the discipline needed to unlock modularisation’s true benefits in EPC:

1. Global Coordination Aligning fabrication yards, shipping schedules, customs and site readiness into a single, integrated plan.

2. Interface Management Ensuring that every module, whether a compressor skid or a prefab accommodation block, fits into the bigger system architecture without surprises.

3. Risk Registers for Modular Delivery Tracking risks like port congestion, certification delays, or vendor quality failures, with mitigation plans baked into project schedules.

4. Governance Across Standards PMOs ensure that modules built overseas comply not just with factory standards, but with the final operating environment’s codes and certifications.

The GCC is ramping up investment in oil & gas, LNG terminals and marine infrastructure. Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and QatarEnergy are all pushing megaprojects where modularisation is key to meeting ambitious timelines.

Take LNG plants as an example: modular construction allows entire process units to be fabricated overseas, shipped to Ras Laffan or Jubail and installed in weeks instead of months. But without governance, a single late shipment can throw an entire commissioning schedule off track.

This is where the PMO makes the difference, keeping a line of sight across oceans, supply chains and contractors to ensure modularisation delivers its promised value.

For oil & gas and marine leaders, modularisation isn’t just a construction technique, it’s a strategic lever. Done right, it compresses timelines, reduces on-site risks and drives consistency in quality. Done poorly, it magnifies project risks across continents.

The takeaway is simple: modular efficiency requires modular governance. And that’s precisely what PMOs are built to provide.

The Middle East’s energy and marine projects are betting big on modularisation to deliver at the scale and speed national visions demand. But technology alone doesn’t guarantee success.

It takes structured governance, interface discipline and global coordination to turn modules into megaproject outcomes. In today’s EPC landscape, PMOs are the difference between modular as a buzzword and modular as a competitive advantage.

For more information, visit PMO Global.