The RPC project involves increasing ammonia production by 360,000 tonnes a year (t/y) at the two existing units, which have combined capacity of 720,000 t/y. The project, likely to be carried out on an engineering and procurement basis, will involve the addition of a purge gas recovery unit and a new air compressor.

SFC has set a revised bid deadline of 15 February, for its estimated $200 million project, which will involve the addition of a urea unit with capacity of 1.1 million t/y and an ammonia plant of 670,000 t/y. Foreign bidders have been told they must be the lead contractor in the bidding groups. SFC and RPC are both subsidiaries of National Petrochemical Company (NPC).

Bidders for the project are expected to include: Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), with the local Nargan; Italy's Snamprogetti, with the local Energy Industries Engineering & Design; and Japan's Toyo Engineering Corporation, with Switzerland's Ammonia Casaleand the local Petrochemical Industries Design & Engineering Company (Pidec). The contract is being tendered on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis.

MSPC is a new private company planning a major petrochemical complex. The ammonia and urea facilities are planned to have capacities of 680,000 t/y and 1 million t/y respectively. National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC)has guaranteed the supply of feedstock for 10 years and NPC has agreed to buy 500,000 t/y of urea until the cost of the project has been repaid.

Prequalification applications are due on 25 January for the basic and detailed engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) package. The contractor will also be expected to arrange financing for the project.