Local and international contractors have been invited to bid by 25 December for work on a total of 12 bulk plants at different locations across the country. Among the companies expected to bid for the packages are the local Metal Services for Trading & Contracting (MSTC), Lebanon's Contracting & Trading (CAT), Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC), Cyprus-based Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P - Overseas)and Italy's Saipem. Companies are eligible to bid for one or more packages.

In addition to package one, covering four bulk plants in the Eastern Province and now under bid evaluation, the other five packages being tendered are:

Package 2: Riyadh

Package 3: Duba, Tabuk, Al-Jouf and Turaif

Package 4: Al-Sulayyil and Al-Qasim

Package 5: Jeddah refinery and Yanbu

Package 6: Jizan, Najran and Abha.

The scope of works at the sites covers the installation of tanks, unloading skids, transfer pumps and shipping pumps and all associated civils, structural, piping, electrical and instrumentation works. Contract awards are expected in the first quarter of 2005.