The six-year project has seven main components, including construction of an eight-inch-diameter carbon steel pipeline from the Mesaieed fuel storage terminal to the air base. The contractor will also build a bulk storage facility at the air base with a hydrant fuelling system for diesel, mogas and other fuels.

FSC is a joint venture between the US' Nova Groupand Nova Group chairman and chief executive Ronald Fedrick. Nova is the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor on the project. A subcontract for the operation and maintenance work until September 2010 has been awarded to the US' Maytag Aircraft Corporation.

ARV Price of the US has the subcontract to build the pipeline while the US' Fisher Tankwill install the fuel tanks. The hydrant fuelling system will be supplied by Bay Associates, also of the US.

The contract is Nova's first in the region, although the company is one of the largest suppliers of aircraft fuelling services to the US Defence Department. The company says it anticipates future work in the region.

The Bahrain-based DESC-Middle East provides fuel support to US and coalition forces operating in the Middle East. In August, it commissioned the 750,000-barrel Mesaieed fuel storage terminal constructed by the US' Caltex. The terminal is operated by Qatex, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleumand Caltex.