The prequalifiers are: the local Tehran Jonoobwith Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company, UK-based CB&I John Brown; the local Namvaran Engineers Consultants with Spain's Dragados; the UK office of Foster Wheelerwith South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries; the local Kayson Groupwith Europe's ABB; Spain's Tecnicas Reunidaswith South Korea's Daewoo Engineering & Construction and the local Chagalesh; Sazeh Consultand Jahanpars, both local, with Sharjah-based Petrofac Internationaland Japan's Kawasaki; Canada's SNC Lavalinwith Daria Palaand Almatco, both local; and Italy's Saipem.

The lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract involves the renovation and upgrade of surface facilities to produce an incremental 300,000 barrels a day (b/d) of oil, 270 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) of gas, 32,000 b/d of sweet natural gas liquids and 210 million cf/d of sweet lean gas. The client is National Iranian Southern Oil Company (NISOC), the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) subsidiary responsible for developing the area.

The scope of works includes detailed engineering, procurement, supply, construction and commissioning of the Aghajari facilities. These are: 11 clusters with booster pumps and compressors; two production units for the oil; two compressor stations for the gas; 520 kilometres of gathering and transmission pipelines; and 132-kV overhead transmission lines and substations. NIOC will finance the expansion through buyer's credit.

The upgrade project is one of several planned by the Islamic republic to offset natural field depletion and boost sustainable oil capacity.