State-owned upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is making progress as it prepares to issue the invitation to bid for the New Strategic Gas Export Pipeline engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract, according to industry sources.

Sources dealing with KOC say they are currently expecting the contract to be tendered in November, although there are some unresolved issues that may cause further delays.

The contract is estimated to have a budget of $200m.

KOC is planning to come up with new strategic gas export pipeline from North Kuwait to Mina Al-Ahmadi.

French engineering company Technip is Project Management Consultant on the project.

The project is expected to take two years to complete once the contract has been awarded.