Four groups of contractors have been invited to submit technical bids by 28 February for the engineering, procurement and construction contract, which involves increasing the total crude output capacity of the three fields from the current 385,000 barrels a day (b/d) to 445,000 (b/d).

Commercial bids will be submitted once technical evaluation is complete, with an award likely by the summer of 2008.
The prequalified groups are UAE-based Petrofac International, Spain's TR with Consolidated Contractors International Company

Paris-based Technip with Dubai-based Dodsal, and Italy's Snamprogetti with India's Punj Lloyd (MEED 26:10:07).

The long wait for the tender is due to sharply rising costs.