State-run Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd (GASCO) has awarded contracts worth 9.2 billion dollars to international firms to set up integrated gas systems projects, the company said Wednesday.

The contracts are for "engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPC) works for integrated gas systems projects" at the Ruwais and Habshan gas plants, a statement on the official WAM news agency said.

Eighteen companies competed for the contracts.

Abu Dhabi is pumping nearly $10 billion (Dh37bn) into projects to expand its gas output capacity despite plans by several Middle East nations to shelve key hydrocarbon projects because of the global financial turmoil.

The government-controlled Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (Gasco), the main onshore gas operator in the emirate, said the projects will increase the firm's production in five years.

"The projects are in line with Adnoc's general plans to expand its sustainable oil and gas production capacity by developing its associated and non-associated gas resources," Gasco general manager Mohammed Al Suwaidi told Adnoc's quarterly bulletin, Adnoc News.

He said the investments would nearly triple the company's output of around three billion cubic feet within five years, adding the expansions cover LNG, LPG, sulphur, condensates and other products.