Canadian engineering firm SNC-Lavalin has won a contract to provide extended basic engineering and subsequent design and delivery for an advanced topping refinery in the UAE.

The project operator is Dubai-based Florexx International Investments.

Under the agreement, SNC-Lavalin will carry out the initial basic engineering, master planning, process technology evaluation and selection to support project financial investment decision approvals, expected in the third quarter.

Once the project proceeds to the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase, SNC-Lavalin will carry out the complete design and delivery of the refinery, working alongside UAE contractors to maximise in-country value.

SNC-Lavalin is yet to respond to MEED’s request for information about the location of the proposed refinery, the value of its contract and other project details.

Advanced topping refineries use distillation columns to separate crude oil into different petroleum products, including naphtha, diesel, kerosene and fuel.

The inside battery limits scope of the agreement between SNC-Lavalin and Florexx includes construction of a 100,000 barrel-a-day refinery, complemented by non-process technical and non-technical buildings and support infrastructure.