Engineering companies are preparing to submit technical proposals for the front-end engineering and design (feed) of the linear alkylbenzene (LAB) chemical plant for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc).

The deadline for submitting technical proposals for the project is 6 August, according to a source.

Adnoc in May awarded Spanish energy firm Cepsa a contract to develop the LAB chemical plant in the Ruwais downstream complex.

Adnoc/Cepsa is yet to decide upon the date for commercial bid submission for the feed work.

“The client will decide upon the deadline after evaluation of the technical bids,” the source said.

The following firms have reportedly been invited to bid for the Feed work by Adnoc:

• Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain)
• WorleyParsons (Australia)
• Samsung Engineering (South Korea)
• GS Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• Bechtel (USA)
• Wood Group (UK).

On 13 May Adnoc announced that the LAB chemical plant will be built in Ruwais, as part of its ambitious $45bn downstream expansion plan to create the world’s largest integrated refining and petrochemicals complex.

Adnoc and Cepsa, which is owned by Abu Dhabi’s investment firm Mubadala, signed a memorandum of understanding in November to conduct feasibility studies for the LAB plant, which is now complete.