Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) has extended the deadlines for technical and commercial proposals by a month for its planned new coker unit, carbon black plant and hydrogen processing facilities

Fourteen firms have been prequalified and are now preparing to submit engineering, procurement and construction bids by 6 December. Commercial proposals will follow on 5 February, according to contractors.

The delay is due to ongoing technology licensing and design problems with the schemes. The front-end engineering and design (feed) is being carried out by the US’ Bechtel, which was expected to be completed by the end of October (MEED 21:10:11).

Takreer, a subsidiary of state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) plans to build new downstream facilities at its Ruwais refining complex that will process heavy-oil by-products from the main refining units and break them down into more marketable products.

According to MEED Projects, the company currently has an estimated $24bn-worth of projects planned or under way, including expansion of the Ruwais refinery to a total of 800,000 barrels a day (b/d) from 400,000 b/d currently.