The respondents include Foster Wheeler, Fluor Corporation, Jacobs Engineeringand Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), all US-based, Australia's WorleyParsons and Paris-based Technip.

Estimated to cost $1,400 million, the project is aimed at increasing production capacity from the three onshore oil fields by a total of 60,000 barrels a day (b/d) by 2007/08, through major modifications to surface handling facilities. The largest increase, 30,000 b/d, is planned at the Asab field, followed by 20,000 b/d at Sahil and 10,000 b/d at Shah. At present, the production capacity at Asab is 280,000 b/d, 55,000 b/d at Sahil and 50,000 b/d at Shah.

The project, which will take about two years to complete, will involve the supply and installation of compressors, pipelines and related facilities for water injection and gas lift services. A tender for the FEED and PMC contract is due to be issued by mid-September.

Adco has embarked on several schemes, aimed at increasing production capacity to 1.6 million b/d from 1.4 million b/d. Bids are due to be submitted by the revised deadline of 30 August for the EPC contract involving the gas lift project at the onshore Bu Hasa field. About five companies are preparing to price the estimated AED 60 million ($16 million) contract (MEED 19:8:05).