The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract entails the supply and installation of 42 electric submersible pumps (ESPs) on seven existing platforms, the addition of mezzanine decks to the existing platforms, a 42-inch-diameter, 50-kilometre-long main oil transfer line, a new tie-in platform, two 16-inch-diameter pipelines from the new platform to existing wellheads, four flexible pipelines, subsea power cables and communications facilities.

The contract also calls for modifications to the Safaniya onshore gas-oil separation plant (GOSP).

A formal award is also imminent for the second package, covering maintenance of potential facilities. Jebel Ali-based J Ray McDermott Middle East is the frontrunner for the EPC contract, which will involve the fabrication and installation of five jackets, five decks and in-field pipelines over a total length of 18 kilometres. Two subsea cables are also to be installed at Marjan. Both the EPC contracts are worth a total of $350 million-400 million.

Australia's WorleyParsonscarried out the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for both projects, which are aimed at increasing production capacity to 450,000 barrels a day (b/d) from 300,000 b/d.