Gulf International Services

What Gulf International Services does

Gulf International Services Q.P.S.C. (QSE: GISS) is a Qatari publicly listed holding company and a subsidiary of QatarEnergy, operating four core business segments: drilling services through Gulf Drilling International (GDI), helicopter transportation through Gulf Helicopters Company, insurance and reinsurance through Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Company, and catering services through Amwaj Catering Services. The company was established in 2008 when Qatar Petroleum transferred its holdings in Gulf Helicopters and Al Koot into a new listed vehicle, subsequently consolidating GDI (2014) and Amwaj (2012) as wholly-owned subsidiaries. GIS serves the energy sector in Qatar and the broader region, with drilling and aviation operations supporting offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration and production for major operators including QatarEnergy, Occidental Petroleum, North Oil Company, Maersk Oil Qatar, QatarGas, Shell Qatar, and TotalEnergies Qatar.

The company's core technology and asset base comprise jack-up drilling rigs (including the Halul and Dukhan under construction with Keppel FELS and the Seadrill-acquired Qatar fleet), an AW139 and AW189 helicopter fleet with a dedicated full flight simulator, insurance underwriting capabilities across health and general lines, and large-scale catering operations. The 2023 merger of Amwaj with Shaqab and Atyab created the largest local Qatari catering platform, while Gulf Helicopters' designation as an Agustawestland AW139 Authorized Training Centre and its joint venture with Quality Aviation Instruments for helicopter MRO establish a vertically integrated aviation services ecosystem.

GIS generates revenue primarily through long-term, contract-based enterprise relationships with energy sector clients and government entities, with pricing structured around day rates, contract fees, and insurance premiums rather than disclosed public pricing. The business model is subscription-recurring across drilling, aviation, and insurance segments, and professional services for catering. In 2025, GIS reported full-year revenue of QR 4.9 billion (8% year-on-year growth) and EBITDA of QR 1.5 billion, with a recommended cash dividend of QR 0.10 per share. The company is pursuing separate QSE listings for Al Koot Insurance and Amwaj Catering to unlock subsidiary value, while navigating the March 2026 operational suspension triggered by QatarEnergy's decision to halt certain chemical and petrochemical production.

Name

Gulf International Services

Legal name

Gulf International Services Q.P.S.C.

Website

https://gis.com.qa

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Gulf International Services is a QatarEnergy-owned, publicly listed Qatari holding company operating four integrated energy services segments: drilling, helicopter transportation, insurance, and catering, serving QatarEnergy, major IOCs, and government clients in Qatar and the broader Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Integrated Energy Services

NAICS

Food Service Contractors (72231)

SIC

Drilling Oil & Gas Wells (1381), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Offshore Marine & Aviation Support (PSVs, AHTS, Crew Boats, Helicopters) (EUALABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Offshore Passenger Transport (Oil & Gas Crew Transfer) (THABAGAF), Marine & Offshore Energy O&M (Offshore Wind, Platforms, Subsea Assets) (EUAEAGAO), Crew & Offshore / Oil & Gas Personnel Charter Operators (THABADAI)

Keywords

• Oil and gas services
• Offshore drilling rigs
• Helicopter transportation
• Insurance and reinsurance
• Industrial catering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Drilling Services: Gulf Drilling International provides onshore and offshore drilling services to major oil and gas companies in Qatar through long-term contracts. Revenue is generated through day rates and contract fees for drilling operations.
2. Helicopter Transportation Services: Gulf Helicopters provides offshore emergency medical services, transport services to oil and gas platforms, and charter services to government and corporate clients.
3. Insurance and Reinsurance: Al-Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Company provides health insurance and general insurance services, primarily to government entities and corporate clients including Qatar Airways.
4. Catering Services: Amwaj Catering Services provides food and hospitality services to energy sector clients including QatarGas and other major operators.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Gulf International Services is a Qatar-based integrated energy services holding company operating four wholly-owned subsidiaries: Gulf Drilling International provides onshore and offshore drilling services using jack-up and land rigs; Gulf Helicopters Company provides offshore crew transport, emergency medical services, and charter flights using AW139 and AW189 aircraft; Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Company offers health and general insurance products; and Amwaj Catering Services provides food and hospitality services to remote energy sector sites.

Product overview

Gulf International Services Q.P.S.C. operates as a diversified services group offering four distinct business segments: insurance and reinsurance through Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Company, drilling and associated services through Gulf Drilling International, helicopter transportation services through Gulf Helicopters Company, and catering services through Amwaj Catering Services. The company operates across Qatar's energy and industrial sectors, providing integrated services to major oil and gas operators including QatarEnergy, Occidental Petroleum, and various LNG companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance: Insurance and reinsurance services, wholly-owned subsidiary of GIS. Company was incorporated in 2003.
• Amwaj Catering Services
• Gulf Drilling International (GDI)
• Gulf Helicopters

Products and services

• Gulf Drilling International (GDI) Drilling Services Provides onshore and offshore drilling services including jack-up rigs, land rigs, and liftboat services to major oil and gas companies in Qatar through long-term contracts, with a five-year QR 830 million contract with Occidental Petroleum of Qatar and contracts with North Oil Company, Maersk Oil Qatar, Dolphin Energy, Shell Qatar, and TotalEnergies Qatar.
• Gulf Helicopters Transportation Services Provides offshore emergency medical services, crew transport to oil and gas platforms, and charter services to government and corporate clients. Operates a fleet of AW139 and AW189 helicopters and serves international clients including Saudi Aramco, ENI Libya, and Yemen LNG.
• Al Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Services Provides health insurance and general insurance products primarily to government entities and corporate clients, including a health insurance contract with Qatar Airways and a staff health insurance partnership with QNB. Operates in partnership with AXA Insurance for healthcare services and has signed agreements with Al Ahli Hospital for comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Amwaj Catering Services Provides food and hospitality services to energy sector clients at remote operational sites, including a catering contract with QatarGas (RasGas) valued at QR 141 million. The merged entity combines Amwaj, Shaqab, and Atyab to create the largest Qatari catering champion with sustainable value creation.

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SeadrillcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024GIS completed the purchase of Seadrill's Qatar Jack-Up Rig Fleet and related joint venture interest. This strategic acquisition expanded Gulf Drilling International's fleet of offshore drilling rigs, strengthening its position in Qatar's offshore drilling market.
• AXA InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAl-Koot Insurance operates in partnership with AXA Insurance for healthcare services. The companies have signed agreements with healthcare providers including Al Ahli Hospital to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Keppel FELSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGulf Drilling International contracted Keppel FELS for construction of new jack-up rigs including the Halul and Dukhan, representing significant capital investment in drilling fleet expansion.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bristow Group Inc. Global helicopter operator providing offshore crew change, search and rescue, and EMS services to the energy sector, with significant Gulf-region exposure. Most direct comparable to Gulf Helicopters' offshore crew transfer and emergency medical services business.
• Borr Drilling Limited: International jack-up drilling contractor with active operations across the Middle East and Asia. Comparable to GDI in terms of asset base (premium jack-up fleet), contract structure (day-rate revenue), and customer mix (NOCs including Gulf-region operators).
• Shelf Drilling, Ltd. Global pure-play jack-up drilling contractor with strong Middle East presence including operations for Saudi Aramco. Directly comparable to GDI's jack-up drilling fleet and day-rate revenue model in the Gulf offshore market.
• CHC Helicopter Corporation: Global helicopter services company specializing in offshore transportation for the oil and gas industry. Comparable to Gulf Helicopters in mission profile (offshore crew transfer) and customer base (international oil and gas operators).
• National Energy Services Reunited Corp. (NESR): MENA-focused integrated energy services provider offering drilling, production, and intervention services across the Middle East and North Africa. Closest analog to GIS as a diversified Middle East energy services platform with multi-country exposure and NOC-aligned customer base.
• ADNOC Drilling Company: UAE-listed drilling company majority-owned by ADNOC, providing onshore and offshore drilling plus related oilfield services in the Gulf. Highly comparable to Gulf Drilling International given its NOC-controlled parent structure, integrated service model, and Gulf-region jack-up rig operations.
• ADES Holding Company: Saudi-listed offshore and onshore drilling contractor operating in the Middle East and Africa. Comparable to GDI as a Gulf-region drilling pure-play with similar exposure to NOC contracts and jack-up rig deployment.

Regional players

• Qatar Insurance Company Q.P.S.C. Largest insurance group in Qatar and the MENA region, offering life, health, and general insurance. Comparable to Al-Koot Insurance as a Qatar-domiciled insurance peer competing in the same health and general insurance market with similar corporate and government clients.
• National Catering Company (NCC Saudi): Saudi-listed integrated catering and support services provider focused on oil, gas, and industrial clients across the Middle East. Comparable to Amwaj Catering Services in business model (remote-site catering for energy operators) and Gulf-region customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Precision Drilling Corporation: Large North American-headquartered drilling and energy services provider with international operations. Less geographically comparable to GDI but operates a similar rig-based drilling model and serves similar oil and gas customer types, providing a scaled international benchmark.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gis-com

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gulf International Services