The largest long-lead packages cover the supply of compressors and gas turbines, which will be installed at Ras Laffan in Qatar. For the compressor package, bids came in from Germany's Siemensand Dresser Rand Corporationand General Electric (GE), both US-based. Three companies also bid for the turbine package. They are GE, France's Alstomwith Siemens, and the UK's Rolls Royce. The packages involve the supply of seven compressors and 40-MW gas turbines.

Bids are also under evaluation for the heat recovery steam generator, steam generator and auxiliary boiler packages. The contracts are expected to be awarded in the first quarter of 2003.

Evaluation of bids is more advanced on the export pipeline supply package. Marubeni Corporationand Mitsui & Company, both of Japan, and Germany's Europipesubmitted bids in late November for the contract, which covers the supply of at least 450 kilometres of 48-inch-diameter pipe.

Six EPC packages are planned on the project. The largest are for the onshore gas processing and compressor plant at Ras Laffan, the offshore platforms in the North field and the gas export pipeline to the UAE. The first packages are due to be issued for bid in early 2003.