The two contractors are the first negotiating partners for the two convertible lump-sum contracts. A final decision is due once negotiations in Houston in mid-November are over. JGC has been shortlisted for the estimated $1bn cracker contract, which covers the construction of a 1.2 million-tonne-a-year (t/y) mixed-feedstock cracker.

The technology licence holder is US-based ABB Lummus Global. The two other bidders are Italy’s Snamprogetti and South Korea’s Samsung Engineering Company.

JGC was always in a good position on the cracker deal, as it is already the contractor on the associated Jubail ChevronPhillips complex, which is nearing completion. “Being already mobilised on site has helped a great deal on the bid,” says a source close to the negotiations.

Daelim is the front runner for the estimated $1.2bn polyolefins package, which covers the construction of a 550,000-t/y linear low-density polyethylene unit, a high-density polyethylene unit of the same size, a 400,000-t/y polypropylene plant, and a polystyrene facility. Italy’s Tecnimont is the other.

Parsons E&C, part of Australia’s WorleyParsons, is the front-end engineering and design, and project management consultant.