Lebanon’s Ministry of Water and Energy has said it has received bids from prequalified bidders for the job to install three floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) for the country.

The project to set up the three FSRUs is estimated to be about $1.2bn, with each installation expected to cost $400m.

Eight consortia and five individual firms that were prequalified to bid for the project have recently submitted bids, the ministry said.

It is understood that one consortium or firm would not be building all three FSRUs, implying Beirut could name more than one winning bidder for the three contracts.

Lebanon’s energy ministry is expected to make a decision on the winning bidder, or bidders, early next year.

The 13 entities Lebanon prequalified in June to bid for the jobs are:

• K Line (Norway) / Fluor (US) / Kawasaki (Japan)
• Eni (Italy) / Qatar Petroleum International (Qatar)
• Total (France) / Hoegh (Norway)
• BW (Singapore) / Vitol (Netherlands) / Butec (Lebanon) / Almabani (Lebanon)
• Phoenicia Energy Consortium
• Excelerate (US) / Shell (UK/The Netherlands) / BB Energy (Lebanon)
• Golar Power (Norway) / Consolidated Contractors Company (Lebanon)
• Mitsui & Co (Japan)
• Kogas (South Korea)
• BP (UK)
• Engie (France)
• Petronas (Malaysia)
• Gas Natural Fenosa (Spain)

Lebanon intends to moor the three FSRU vessels at: Beddawi, near Tripoli; Selaata, north of Beirut; and Zahrani, which is close to Tyre. These locations adhere to the recommendations of the project consultant US-based Poten & Partners.

The FSRUs are to be commissioned in 2020 according to the original plan.

Beirut initiated the FSRUs project in 2013, although political uncertainties and economic troubles had left the scheme on hold.