Saudi Aramco is expected to start the prequalification process for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for its planned expansion at the Khurais oil field in mid-2014.

MEED reported in August 2-13 that the US’ Foster Wheeler had awarded the front-end engineering and design (feed) for the scheme.

The feed is expected to be completed in the first half of 2014 as per its schedule and a full EPC would be floated sometime in the third quarter.

Aramco plans to add 300,000 barrels a day (b/d) to the field’s current capacity of 1.2 million b/d. The scope of work will include the installation of crude handling, stabilisation, and gas compression facilities, as well as pipelines, and offsites and utilities.

The expansion is expected to be one of Aramco’s most significant projects of 2014 with an estimated budget of up to $3bn.

Khurais is located adjacent to the Ghawar oil field, one of the world’s largest, in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. It began production in 2009 and produces 1.2 million b/d of light Arabian crude as well as 320 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) of gas and 80,000 b/d of natural gas liquids.

The expansion at Khurais, as well as the planned increase of 250,000 b/d at the Shaybah field in the Empty Quarter, will ease production at other oil fields and not increase the kingdom’s 12.5 million capacity.