Russia’s Gazprom, the developer of the Badra oil field in the east of Iraq, has released two tenders for contracts to build a series of new infield and export pipelines worth an estimated $400m-plus.

The tenders, released on 9 February had been expected in January, but were delayed while the joint management committee at the field carried out a technical evaluation of the tender, according to a source close to the project.

Five firms have been prequalified to submit technical and commercial bids on 15 March for the export pipeline contract, which will carry crude oil from Badra to the Gharraf field in the south of the country. The deal is valued at as much as $300m.

Prequalified firms include:

• Punj Lloyd (India)
• Dodsal (India)
• Saipem (Italy)
• Petrofac (UK)
• China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (China)

At least seven firms have also been invited to bid for a smaller deal covering the construction of natural gas, crude oil, water and infield pipelines, on the same deadline.

The Russian firm leads the development of the 3-billion-barrel Badra oil field in the Wasit province of eastern Iraq, along with Turkey’s TPAO, Malaysia’s Petronas and South Korea’s Kogas.