US-based Foster Wheeler has been selected for the conceptual study contract covering a major expansion of Ruwais refinery. It beat competition from Paris-based Technip for the six-month contract. Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) is handling the project (MEED 9:6:06).

The study will include drawing up the statement of requirements and

suggestions for the construction of naphtha hydrotreaters

and splitters, twin catalytic reformers, isomerisation

units, distillate hydrotreaters, vacuum distillation

units, hydrocrackers and fluid catalytic crackers (FCCs). It

will also look at process streams and the final plant configuration.

Estimated to cost $3,000 million-3,500 million, the expansion will add nameplate capacity of 300,000 barrels a day (b/d) to the 415,000-b/d refinery.

Work is also under way for the construction of a grassroots refinery at Fujairah on the east coast. International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government, is understood to be in negotiations with international oil companies to partner on the proposed facility. In March, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) said that IPIC had been assigned by the Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC) to conduct a study on the proposed refinery.