Contractors preparing to submit bids for two major pipeline projects for Saudi Aramco’ have asked the state oil company for an extension for the bid submission deadlines.

Proposals for engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for two schemes to provide rehabilitation and maintenance of pipelines are scheduled to be submitted on 7 September, just a couple of days ahead of more than week-long holiday period in the kingdom, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The request for extension was submitted a few weeks ago but the contractors have not yet received an answer from Aramco.

The contracts are part of the Pipelines Rehabilitation 2016 scheme. The scope of work involves maintaining and rehabilitating 150-kilometres long pipeline from Safaniya area to Berri gas plant in the kingdom, while the other is a 37-Kilometre stretch of the pipeline which ends at Qatif junction, the sources added.