The project to expand the capacity of the Qusahwira field in Abu Dhabi has been delayed by several months after companies submitted technical bids to execute the scheme.

Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations (Adco) received technical engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) proposals in June 2015, but has yet to give contractors a deadline for commercial offers.

The contract is estimated to be valued at between $500m and $700m.

According to sources familiar with the scheme, companies submitting technical proposals include:

• Al-Asab Contracting Establishment (UAE)
• China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (China)
• Dodsal (UAE)
• Intecsa Industrial (Spain)
• Tecnimont (Italy)

Phase two of the Qusahwira field development is part of Adco’s programme to increase the capacity of its onshore South East Asset fields, which also includes projects at the Sahil and Mender fields.

The expansion will add 25,000 barrels a day (b/d) of new capacity at the field, which is located 260 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi city.

Canada’s SNC Lavalin carried out the front-end engineering and design (feed) study for the project at its operations in Abu Dhabi, Mumbai and Toronto.