Stone & Webster, part of the Shaw Group, and Kellogg Brown & Root, both of the US, are understood to have been shortlisted for the design competition covering the 1.2 million-tonne-a-year ethane/propane cracker. The client will select one of the designs and award the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) package by year-end. Tenders for the other downstream units, which include two high-density and low-density polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE) plants and an acrylonitrile facility, will be issued later in the year. INEOS is providing its proprietary technology for the downstream units (MEED 10:6:05).

For the PMC contract, a number of companies including Foster Wheeler and Fluor Corporation, both of the US, and Australia's WorleyParsons have been given until 7 April to submit offers.

The project is understood to have not yet obtained a feedstock allocation from the Petroleum & Mineral Resources Ministry. The complex will include a business park for more labour-intensive downstream plastics-related industries in order to make a stronger business case for the allocation.