The US’ CB&I Lummus has won a $50m contract to carry out the front-end engineering and project management for the Sohar refinery in Oman.

Local newspaper Oman Observer reported that the refinery’s capacity will be increased by 60 per cent from 116,400 barrels a day (b/d) to 187,774-b/d.

New plants will also be added including a 71,500-b/d crude distillation unit and a 96,800-b/d vacuum distillation unit, as well as additional utilities and offsite facilities.

According to the Middle East projects tracker MEED Projects, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts are due to be issued in the second quarter of this year, with an award due in the fourth quarter.

The state-owned Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company owns the Sohar refinery.