The three shortlisted groups are the local/South African venture of Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterpriseswith Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East); the local Arabian Construction Company (ACC);and Target Engineering & Construction Company, also local. All three are due to hold meetings with the client in the second half of February.

Estimated to be worth $45 million-50 million, the civils package covers the main plant, racks, buildings, foundations and related works. The local Granite Construction Company is carrying out the first, earthworks package under an estimated AED 11 million ($3 million) subcontract.

Technip-Coflexip was awarded in June the estimated $480 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build the ULG and LSGO plant. The 81,000-barrel-a-day plant will take 36 months to complete. The US' Parsons International is the project management consultant (MEED 5:7:02).