The Great Manmade River Authority (GMRA) is reviewing bids from about five international contractors for the estimated $500 million phase 3 contract to build a 383-kilometre pipeline from the Al-Kufra wellfield to Sarir. The five-year contract includes the collection, transportation and installation of 3.6-4-metre-diameter pipes. Designs for the pipeline, which will link up with the existing phase 1 GMR pipeline between Tazerbo and Sarir, have been completed by the UK office of Nippon Koei.

GMRA will also tender by the end of the year an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the pumping stations on phase 3. The package includes the design and construction of a pumping station at the Al-Kufra wellfield and two booster stations along the route of the existing phase 1 pipeline. Nippon Koei is finalising the request for proposals (RFP).

A further phase 3 package for the development of the Al-Kufra wellfield will be tendered once geological surveys have been completed. The new Kufra pipeline system will supply an additional 1.68 million cm/d of water to the GMR network.