The prospective bidders include Paris-based Technip-Coflexip, Snamprogettiof Italy, Worley of Australia, Engineers India (EIL)and VECO, Parsons International, Bechtel and Foster Wheeler- all US-based.

Called the inter-refinery pipelines (IRP) project, the scheme includes the supply and installation of: a 16-inch-diameter multi-products pipeline from Ruwais to Mussafah; a 10-inch-diameter gas-oil pipeline and a 12-inch-diameter naphtha and jet fuel pipeline from Umm al-Nar to Ruwais; a 10-inch-diameter jet fuel pipeline from Mussafah to receiver facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport; and a 12-inch-diameter multi-products pipeline to tie in at Maqta with the existing Umm al-Nar-Al-Ain pipeline.

The contract also entails the construction of pump houses at Ruwais and Umm al-Nar, a new 32-inch-diameter gas-oil pipeline and conversion of the 36-inch-diameter crude oil pipeline for the export of condensate.

The project is estimated to cost at least AED 734 million ($200 million). The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract will be carried out in 30 months.

A team of Penspen Internationaland Halcrow Group, both of the UK, has carried out feasibility studies for the new facilities. Tebodin Middle East, part of Tebodinof the Netherlands, is providing project management consultancy services for the scheme.