The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts are:Package 16, which covers the installation of BE and BG process and utility platforms;Package 17, which calls for the installation of CE and CD process platforms; andPackage 18, which involves the installation of platforms at location G.

Technical bids are due to be submitted on 18 August for packages 16 and 17 and on 27 August for package 18. Prospective bidders for the contracts include Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), Jebel Ali-based J Ray McDermott (Middle East), Dragados of Spain, Italy's Saipem, Sime Darby of Malaysia, and Hyundai Heavy Industries Company, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company and Samsung Heavy Industries Company, all of South Korea.

MOQ plans to invest $5,000 million in the full-field development, aimed at increasing production capacity to 525,000 barrels a day (b/d) by the end of 2009 from 240,000 b/d. The project is being carried out in 10 packages. Bids are already under evaluation for packages 9 and 10, which cover five wellhead jackets, three wellhead decks and a riser bridge. Both packages are estimated to be worth a total of $200 million. The overall development calls for the installation of 18 new platforms, made up of five wellhead platforms, two flare platforms and six accommodation platforms. It also includes the installation of about 300 kilometres of in-field subsea pipelines and 40 kilometres of power cables.