The lump-sum turnkey contract involves the construction of the 1,000-tonne wellhead platform about 40 kilometres offshore, in a water depth of 30 metres. The facility will consist of a two-deck structure with an associated helideck. It will have 12 well slots and a two-bay vertical jacket, supported by driven, through-leg piles.

The scheme is the latest in a series of contracts tendered by KJO in recent months. Three prequalified contractors have until 30 May for offshore works under its crude handling facilities expansion programme, while 15 contractors recently submitted prequalification applications for an estimated $60 million-75 million contract covering the Hout field's onshore expansion (MEED 29:4:05).

The work is part of a $1,800 million, five-year investment programme for the Divided Zone with the aim of increasing crude output by 100,000 barrels a day (b/d) to 700,000 b/d. Japan's Toyo Engineering Corporationis the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contractor on the programme. KJO is a 50:50 joint venture between Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC)and Saudi Arabia's Aramco Gulf Operations (AGOC - MEED 18:3:05; 18:2:05).