Saudi Arabia Oil and Gas Sector - The 8 Certifications Indian Workers
ARAMCO and SABIC contracts require specific certifications most Indian candidates do not hold. Here is what the oil and gas sector is hiring for in 2026.
Saudi Arabia's oil and gas sector employs over 200,000 expatriate workers. Indian nationals hold approximately 31% of those roles - the largest single national group. But the gap between candidates who get hired and those who get rejected in Saudi oil and gas is not experience. It is certification.
ARAMCO, SABIC, and their Tier 1 contractors run qualification-based shortlisting. If your certificate is not from a body they recognise, your application does not move forward regardless of how many years of experience you claim.
Here are the 8 certifications that determine outcomes - what they are, who needs them, and how to get them in India.
Why Saudi Oil and Gas Certification Requirements Are Stricter
Saudi Aramco is the world's largest oil company by production volume. It has also had some of the world's largest industrial accidents in history - which is why it now operates one of the world's most rigorous contractor qualification systems.
Every contractor working on an ARAMCO site must meet ARAMCO's General Inspection Requirements (GIR). These requirements specify, by role, which international certifications are mandatory. Sub-contractors inheriting ARAMCO work apply the same standards. The result: a contractor pipeline where unverified or nationally-only-recognised qualifications are insufficient.
SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) operates a parallel but slightly different standards system across its petrochemical plants. Most Indian candidates targeting Saudi industry will encounter one of these two standards frameworks.
The 8 Certifications That Open Saudi Oil and Gas Roles
1. NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC)
Who needs it: Safety Officers, HSE Engineers, Site Safety Representatives Why it matters: NEBOSH IGC is the minimum entry-level safety qualification for every ARAMCO-contracted safety role. There is no alternative - an Indian safety diploma alone does not qualify. Validity: No expiry (CPD recommended) Cost in India: ₹15,000-25,000 (distance learning + exam at British Council centres) Exam centres in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore
2. CSWIP 3.1 (Welding Inspector)
Who needs it: Welding Inspectors, QC Inspectors specialising in welding Why it matters: CSWIP 3.1 is the standard welding inspection certificate recognised by ARAMCO's welding procedure approval system. Issued by TWI (The Welding Institute, UK). Prerequisite: 3 years welding or inspection experience Cost in India: ₹25,000-40,000 Exam centres in India: Mumbai (TWI-affiliated), Pune, Hyderabad
3. API 570 (Piping Inspector)
Who needs it: Piping Inspectors, Integrity Engineers Why it matters: API (American Petroleum Institute) certifications are mandatory for inspection roles on Saudi petrochemical plants. API 570 covers in-service piping systems. Cost in India: ₹20,000-35,000 (self-study + exam at Pearson VUE centres)
4. API 510 (Pressure Vessel Inspector)
Who needs it: Pressure Vessel Inspectors, Mechanical Integrity Engineers Why it matters: Mandatory for inspection of pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and reactors on ARAMCO and SABIC plants. Cost in India: ₹20,000-35,000 Note: API 570 and 510 can be prepared simultaneously - overlapping content saves time.
5. ASNT Level II (NDT Inspector)
Who needs it: Non-Destructive Testing Inspectors (UT, RT, PT, MT) Why it matters: ASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Testing) Level II is the standard for NDT inspection roles across Saudi oil and gas. Required for ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, and magnetic particle testing roles. Specialisations: UT (ultrasonic), RT (radiographic), PT (penetrant), MT (magnetic) - each requires separate certification Cost in India: ₹15,000-25,000 per method
6. IRATA Level 1-3 (Rope Access)
Who needs it: Rope access technicians for offshore and elevated structure inspection and maintenance Why it matters: IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) certification is mandatory for rope access work on Saudi offshore platforms and high-structure maintenance. Level progression: Level 1 (entry) → Level 2 (competent) → Level 3 (supervisor) Cost in India: ₹30,000-55,000 per level at IRATA-approved training providers
7. CPWI or AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector)
Who needs it: Welding Inspectors on American-standard contracts Why it matters: Some ARAMCO Tier 1 contractors (particularly US-headquartered EPC firms like McDermott) use AWS CWI rather than CSWIP. Holding both maximises your eligible contract base. Cost in India: ₹20,000-30,000
8. BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training)
Who needs it: Any worker assigned to offshore platforms or vessels Why it matters: BOSIET is a mandatory safety course for offshore workers, covering helicopter underwater escape, firefighting, and sea survival. No offshore assignment without it. Validity: 4 years (renewable with refresher FOET) Cost in India: ₹35,000-55,000 at OPITO-approved centres (Mumbai, Chennai)
The Certification Priority Matrix
Not everyone needs all eight. Your priority depends on your role:
| Your Role | Priority Certifications |
|---|---|
| Welding Inspector | CSWIP 3.1, then ASNT UT Level II |
| HSE / Safety Officer | NEBOSH IGC (non-negotiable first step) |
| Piping / Mechanical Inspector | API 570, API 510 |
| NDT Inspector | ASNT Level II in your method (UT is highest demand) |
| Offshore worker (any trade) | BOSIET first, then role-specific cert |
| Rope access technician | IRATA Level 1, then Level 2 |
How to Get ARAMCO Project Experience on Your CV
Even without direct Saudi experience, Indian workers can legitimately cite ARAMCO standards experience if they have worked on Indian projects executed to ARAMCO specifications.
Several major Indian EPC contractors - L&T Hydrocarbon, Toyo Engineering India, Petrofac India, Punj Lloyd - have executed projects using ARAMCO SAES standards for Indian refineries and petrochemical plants. If you worked on one of these projects, you have ARAMCO-standard experience. State it explicitly in your CV: "Worked to ARAMCO SAES-A-021 specifications on [project name]."
Attestation Note for International Certifications
NEBOSH IGC, CSWIP, and API certificates are issued outside India. The attestation chain for these is different from Indian qualifications:
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NEBOSH: Issued in UK. Requires apostille from UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), then Saudi Embassy attestation.
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CSWIP (TWI): Same UK apostille chain.
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API: Issued in USA. Requires US State Department apostille, then Saudi Embassy attestation.
Your recruiting agency should guide you through this - but knowing the chain in advance prevents delays.
Saudi oil and gas pays significantly above construction. The certifications are the price of entry.
Find verified Saudi construction and O&G roles on skilledupIndia.
