Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) is preparing to tender the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the local marketing depot at Matlaa, according to an industry source.

UK-based project management consultant Amec Foster Wheeler is currently finalising the front-end engineering and design (feed) for the project in liaison with governmental agencies and the local municipality.

“There is a push to wrap it up,” said the source. “The invitation to bid may be issued by the end of the year or earlier.”

The goal of the planned depot is to meet the growing demand for petroleum products in the local market as well as cutting transportation costs and maintaining strategic stocks in depots as per KPC recommendations.

Its scope includes cross-country pipelines, new pumping facilities and a storage tanks.

The Matlaa local marketing depot is a greenfield project with an estimated budget value of $798m.