The tender was delayed from its original September issue date after contractors queried the scope and delivery of the project. Prequalified companies for the contract include France’s Technip, Japan’s JGC Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation and Foster Wheeler and Fluor Corporation of the US.

The tender covers a gas processing train and offsite utility works.

Bids are due before the end of December. An award is expected by the end of February, with the engineering, procurement and construction tender due by the third quarter of 2008.

Dubai-based J Ray McDermott submitted the results of its pre front-end engineering and design study on the first phase of Barzan to QP in mid-October. The Barzan gas development has grown four-fold from its initial target of 1,500 million cubic feet a day (cf/d), with plans now in place for six gas trains to be developed over the next eight years.