Qatar Liquefied Gas Company (Qatargas) is evaluating commerical bids for a deal to provide shutdown services at its Ras Laffan facilities in the north of the country.

Technical evaluation of the bids has been completed and commercial evaluation is in progress, says a source close to the project. A contract award is expected by the middle of March.

The contract was tendered in October, and bids were submitted on 21 December. The bidders include Black Cat, Qatar Engineering and Construction, Al-Muftah Group, and Doha Petroleum Construction Company, all local, and Pakistan’s Descon Engineering.

The contract was tendered on a unit rate basis, meaning that the value of the contract depends on the type of shutdown and the equipment used.

This is a new approach for Qatargas, which has previously used lump-sum contracts, says the source. 

The shutdowns involve the three liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains at Qatargas phase 1, which produce some 10 million tonnes a year of LNG, as well as four trains in Qatargas phase 2, 3 and 4.

The contract will last for a period of five years, with the provision for a two-year extension.