Selections are imminent for key engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) packages on the integrated Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) project at Ras Laffan, after the submission of final prices in early July (MEED 16:6:06).

For the C2 package, Germany's Linde is understood to be in pole position. The contract covers the construction of eight air separation units, to deliver 28,800 tonnes a day of oxygen for the main plant. Japan's Chiyoda Corporation is the frontrunner for the C4 package, which calls for the construction of a 1,600 million-cubic-feet-a-day feed gas processing facility. Finally, a Japanese/South Korean team of Toyo Engineering Corporation with Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company is in line for the award of the C5 package. It involves the construction of a liquid processing unit to incorporate a heavy paraffin converter, a synthetic crude distiller and related product splitters.

Official awards are due in early August, after the client Royal Dutch/Shell Group takes a final investment decision. The project calls for the construction of two 70,000-barrel-a-day trains by 2009/10.