One UAE-based contractor tells MEED that Takreer is inviting prequalification applications from selected firms for at least six of the eight available packages.

The expansion will add 400,000 barrels a day (b/d) of condensate and crude processing capacity to Takreer’s existing 420,000-b/d Ruwais refinery.

The firms being asked to apply for prequalification on package one, covering a crude distillation unit and sulphur recovery unit, include Germany’s Uhde, the US’ CBI Lummus, South Korea’s SK Engineering, Japan’s Toyo, Italy’s Technimont; and Spain’s TR.

The companies invited to prequalify for the second package, covering a residual fluidised cracker, include South Korea’s GS Engineering.

It is understood that four further packages, covering offsites and utilities, storage tanks, infrastructure and marine works, have also been opened for prequalification.

It is not clear if the prequalification process for the final two packages, for site preparation for the northern and southern areas, has also started.

The project manager is the US’ Fluor Corporation, while Bechtel Corporation, also of the US, is the front-end engineering and design contractor.

Ruwais is the only refinery currently planned in the UAE.