QP will use the buildings as the headquarters for its operations at Ras Laffan, where most of Qatar’s oil and gas projects are based.

The client first tendered the project late last year, when bids were submitted by local firms Construction Development Company (CDC) and Midmac General Contracting, and Austria’s Strabag.

But QP decided to retender the project now to benefit from lower labour and materials prices.

It also expects that more contractors will bid for the contract this year because of the lack of construction work on offer elsewhere in the region.

Under the original contract, the winning bidder would build two or three office buildings. It is unclear if the scope of the retendered contract remains the same.

In July, QP invited contractors to express interest in the first package of a much larger project to build a complex at Lusail housing all of QP’s current Doha-based functions. The construction deal covers parking structures and temporary site offices, together with enabling works.

QP plans to issue tenders for the first phase of the project in mid September, and to make an award in January.

According to sources involved with the Lusail project, it features a main office tower and a series of interconnected mid-rise office buildings that will house about 3,000 employees.