The client, Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer), extended the original bid submission deadline following changes to the scope of works. A provisional deadline of 21 December has been set for the submission of commercial bids.

The scheme, previously known as the berth and crude oil movement (BOM) project, has been renamed the inter-refinery pipelines (IRP) project. Under the original scope of works, the project called for the construction of a new 80,000-dwt tanker berth, a new condensate loading unit at Ruwais and the dredging of a suitable area for the proposed new facility.

The scope has now been expanded to take in the supply and installation of several inter-refinery pipelines and related works. These include: a 16-inch-diameter multi-products pipeline from Ruwais to Mussafah; a 10-inch-diameter gas/oil pipeline and a 12-inch-diameter naphtha and jet fuel pipeline from Umm al-Nar to Ruwais; a 10-inch-diameter jet fuel pipeline from Mussafah to receiver facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport; and a 12-inch-diameter multi-products pipeline to tie in at Maqta with the existing Umm al-Nar-Al-Ain pipeline.

The contract includes the construction of new pump houses at Ruwais and Umm al-Nar and a new control room at Mussafah. It also entails the construction of a new 32-inch-diameter gas/oil pipeline and conversion of the 36-inch-diameter crude oil pipeline for the export of condensate.

The project is estimated to cost at least $200 million. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract will be carried out in 30 months.

A UK team of Penspen International and Halcrow Grouphas carried out the feasibility study for the new facilities, which are scheduled to be commissioned by early 2005.