Bidders for the FEED package are understood to include ABB Lummus Global, Fluor Daniel, Jacobs Engineering, and Parsons Engineering Corporation, all US-based, and Kvaerner E&C, part of Norway's Aker Kvaernergroup.

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract is due to be issued for bid in late 2003, while an award is scheduled by mid 2004. The units will use technology provided by Q-Chem II's foreign partner, the US' Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.

The Q-Chem II facility will receive its feedstock from the 1.3 million-t/y cracker planned by the Ras Laffan Ethylene Company, a 54:46 joint venture between Q-Chem II and the local/French Qatofin. The technology supply and EPC package for the cracker is now expected to be issued in July. Five international groups are prequalified for the contract, which is due to be awarded in the second quarter of 2004 (MEED 28:2:03).

Ras Laffan Ethylene Company will also supply feedstock to Qatofin, which is planning a 450,000-t/y linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) plant, based on the Unipol PE technology, at Mesaieed. The EPC package for this is expected to be issued in September (MEED 4:4:03).