Saudi Aramco, the biggest oil exporter in the world, has extended bid submission deadline by almost three weeks for two major pipeline contracts with combined estimated value of about $250m, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Proposals for engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for two schemes to provide rehabilitation and maintenance of pipelines were scheduled to be submitted on 7 September, just a couple of days before a more than a week-long holiday period in the kingdom, but the state-run company has extended the date to 26 September, sources aware of the matter said.

The contracts are part of the Pipelines Rehabilitation 2016 scheme. The scope of work involves maintaining and rehabilitating 150-kilometres long pipeline from Safaniya area to Berri gas plant in the kingdom, while the other is a 37-Kilometre stretch of the pipeline which ends at Qatif junction, the sources added.

It is not know, how many bidders have been invited by Aramco to submit proposals for EPC deal.