Under the revised scope, the proposed capacity has been doubled and several new elements have been added. Estimated to be worth $100 million, the EPC contract will involve the construction of four 1 million-barrel tanks, pumping stations, tie-ins and hot tap connections. The 20-month contract includes civils, electrical and mechanical works.

Five local and international companies have been invited to submit technical bids by 17 January. The invitees are Turkey's Tekfen, the local National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), the UK's Whessoe Oil & Gas, US-based Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I)and Italy's Snamprogetti. However, not all the contractors are expected to bid. No date has been set as yet for the submission of commercial bids.

Austria's ILF Consulting Engineershas carried out the front-end engineering and design (FEED) work for the facility, while Engineers India (EIL)is acting as the project manager and will also oversee the tank upgrade project, which is being carried out separately.

The local Target Engineering Construction Companyis carrying out the upgrade project under a contract worth AED 220 million ($60 million) awarded in early summer. It calls for the supply and installation of new pipelines and related instrumentation and civils work. The local Pan-Emirates Engineeringhas carried out the detailed engineering work, while the UK's Mott MacDonaldprepared a preliminary study.