The bidders for the tankage package are: the US' Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I); Japan's MitsubishiHeavy Industries (MHI), with France's Vinci; Japan's Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (IHI); and Technigaz, also of France.

Bidders were asked to submit a base bid, calling for the construction of two tanks, plus a range of options, which in total add up to five tanks. However, it is expected that the contract award will cover three tanks each with capacity of 140,000-160,000 cubic metres.

For the train contract, commercial bids are due on 7 November from the two prequalified bidders - Japan's Chiyoda Corporation, with Paris-based Technip; and Japan's JGC Corporation, with US-based Kellogg Brown & Root. The tender covers construction of train 1, with train 2 as an option. Both trains will have capacity of 7.8 million t/y and use AP-X technology provided by the US' Air Products. Chiyoda carried out the front-end engineering and design (FEED).

One other major EPC contract is to be tendered on the project at Ras Laffan. It will cover the sulphur handling facilities, for which the US' Washington Groupis carrying out the FEED.

Tendering on Qatar's other major LNG project - trains 6 and 7 for Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company II (RasGas II)- is expected to kick off in the fourth quarter, with the release of the first set of bid documents for the plant package, for which Chiyoda is also the FEED contractor. Trains 6 and 7, similar in size to the Qatargas II facilities, will supply LNG to the US market.