Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has asked international engineering contractors to formally express their interest in a deal to design and oversee the construction of a huge network of carbon dioxide pipelines by early June, sources close to the project tell MEED.

Masdar’s carbon management unit sent out a formal solicitation of interest for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract in mid-May and has asked prospective bidders to state their interest by the first week of June, according to one engineering executive looking at the deal.

The winning bidder will complete detailed engineering design work for the first two phases of the network, order the necessary materials and equipment, and manage the construction of the pipelines.

The first phase covers 190 kilometres of high-pressure pipelines, ranging in diameter from 8 to 14 inches. The second phase will see the same gauge of pipeline used over a 230km path. The carbon dioxide will be used by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) for injection into oil fields as a form of carbon sequestration.

Once the design work is complete, the EPCM contractor and Masdar will tender a construction deal for the first phase. Executives close to the project say this contract is likely to be put out to bid in early 2011.

A tender for the second phase will follow later in the year. Masdar is approaching EPCM contractors to manage the process as most pipeline construction companies do not have in-house design units.