Complete Guide to Well Drilling Costs in Saudi Arabia 2026 - Full Pricing Guide
The first question on any well project is what it will cost — and the honest answer is that the price is set by the ground, not by the contractor. This guide breaks the number down so you can read a quotation properly and compare two of them on equal terms.
What sets the price
Depth: the single largest factor. Price is normally quoted per metre, and the rate rises with depth.
Ground conditions: soft sand drills quickly; hard rock is slower and consumes bits, which shows up in the rate.
Well diameter: a wider borehole takes more time, larger casing and a bigger rig.
Casing and screens: material grade and the length that must be cased.
The pump and its accessories: pump size, cable, riser pipe, control panel and tank.
Site access and distance: mobilising a rig to a remote site carries its own cost.
Permits and studies: geological survey and the required authority approvals.
Indicative prices in Saudi Arabia, 2026
As a working guide, before a site survey:
Shallow well (20-30 m): SAR 10,000 - 15,000
Medium well (40-60 m): SAR 15,000 - 25,000
Deep well (80-120 m): SAR 35,000 - 50,000
Very deep well (200 m and over): SAR 60,000 - 150,000
1 HP submersible pump: SAR 2,500 - 4,000
2 HP submersible pump: SAR 4,500 - 7,000
Installation, piping, tank and testing: SAR 8,500 - 13,000
Design and geological survey: SAR 3,000 - 10,000
The costs people forget
Three items are regularly left out of a cheap quotation and appear later as extras:
Well development and cleaning after drilling, without which yield and water clarity suffer
The rate per additional metre if water is deeper than estimated
Water testing and any treatment needed before the supply is used
How to compare two quotations
Put them side by side on scope, not on the total. Check the quoted depth, the casing specification, whether the pump is included and at what rating, what the warranty covers, and the price per extra metre. A quotation that is cheaper on the total and silent on these points is usually the more expensive one.
Running costs after drilling
Budget for electricity to run the pump, a scheduled maintenance visit or two per year, and eventual pump replacement after several years of service. A correctly sized pump is the biggest lever on the electricity bill.
In short
Expect a real figure only after a site survey. At Middle East Foundations (MEIC) we quote against a surveyed depth and a defined scope, with no hidden extras and a written warranty.
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Need advice or a quotation? Talk to the Middle East Foundations (MEIC) team directly on WhatsApp 0554097005 — free site assessment and a detailed quotation.
