Bids have been directly invited from at least four international companies for a $140 million project to construct a crude catalytic reformer (CCR) and isomerisation units at the Aliaga refinery near Izmir, according to contracting sources. The client is the state Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation (TUPRAS).

The four are Japan's JGC Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation, Italy's Technipetrol and France's Technip, most, if not all of which are expected to team up with local partners, say the sources. After the evaluation of technical bids, which are due to close on 12 February, TUPRAS will then ask for pricing bids accompanied by financing offers.

The CCR unit will have a capacity of 3,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d), while the isomerisation unit's capacity will be 1,900 cm/d. The contract forms part of TUPRAS' long-term programme to switch the emphasis of its output towards light rather than heavy products, in line with changing domestic demand.