The US’ Fluor Corporation has completed a $1.5bn contract for RasGas to provide engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services on a project at Ras Laffan.

The project covers construction of utilities, loading facilities and tanks and was awarded in November 2005 to support new liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity planned by RasGas (MEED 2:12:05).

The infrastructure deal for RasGas was the second major oil and gas award, after the UK/Dutch Shell Group’s Pearl GTL scheme, to be made on an EPC management basis in 2005.

As on Pearl GTL, RasGas had considered tendering the work on an EPC basis, but opted for the EPCM approach to reduce contractor risk, increase competition and speed up the project.

RasGas is a joint venture of the state-run Qatar Petroleum (QP) with a 70 per cent stake and the US’ ExxonMobil Corporation holding 30 per cent.