Downstream operator Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) is preparing to issue a tender for the country’s planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal on 31 May, according to a source close to the project.

A budget of KD1bn ($3.3bn) for the planned import terminal was approved by KNPC in March.

The LNG import terminal will be located near the town of Al-Zour in the Kuwaiti half of the Divided Zone, which is shared with Saudi Arabia.

According to KNPC plans the LNG regasification terminal will have a capacity of 1,500 billion British thermal units a day (btu/d) and will include two berths for the simultaneous unloading of large LNG carriers.

The terminal will also include four full containment LNG tanks, each with a working capacity of 225,500 cubic metres.

It is due to be constructed on reclaimed land formed by hydraulic filling.

A total of 13 contractors have qualified to bid on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal.

According to a KNPC document seen by MEED, the full list of prequalified companies is:

• Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (Netherlands-based)
• Consortium of Samsung Engineering (South Korea) / Samsung C&T (South Korea)
• Consortium of Daelim Industrial (South Korea) / IHI Corporation (Japan)
• Joint venture of Tecnicas Reunidas (Spain) / GS Engineering & Construction (E&C; South Korea)
• Consortium of Hyundai Engineering (South Korea) / Hyundai E&C (South Korea) / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan)
• Chiyoda Corporation (Japan)
• Joint venture of Sener Ingeniería y Sistemas (Spain) / Techint Compagnia Tecnica Internazionale (Italy-Argentina)
• Consortium of Fluor Services Kuwait (US/Kuwait) and Daewoo E&C (South Korea)
• Consortium of Petrofac International (London-based) / Black and Veatch International (US) / EntreposeProjects (France) /Vinci Construction Grands Projects (France)
• Technip Italy (France/Italy)
• Consortium of Saipem (Italy) / Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) (Athens-based)
• Bechtel (US)
• JGC Corporation (Japan)