MEED Middle East Economic Digest articles from March 2003

MEED Middle East Economic Digest archives from March 2003

US diplomat quits in protest at Iraq policy. (Seven Days).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... A senior US career diplomat who has served for two decades in the Middle East, North Africa and Western Europe has resigned in protest at the Bush administration's policy on Iraq and its "swaggering and contemptuous" attitude towards other...

Iraq war plans drive wedge through UN and raise hackles in the middle east.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... As US war preparations for Iraq continued in earnest in early March, the anti-war lobby dug deeper into its positions in the UN Security Council, raising the prospect that Washington would be forced to launch a military campaign without the...

Iraq war plans drive wedge through UN and raise hackles in the middle east.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Rising tension over the Iraq crisis upset the course of two regional summits held in early March, as tempers frayed and the usual high-minded fog of diplomatic discourse descended into a slanging match between Arab delegates. Both summits...

Islamic Iran Participation Party. (News in Brief: Iran).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Reformists suffered a serious defeat in local elections on 28 February, which was blamed on voter apathy and frustration with the slow pace of change. Conservatives are thought to have won 14 out of 15 seats on the Tehran city council, but...

Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). (News in Brief: Sudan).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Peace talks resumed in Nairobi on 4 March. focusing on the issue of the administration of "conflict areas", on which the government refused to negotiate in January. The three disputed areas are the Nuba Mountains region in Southern Kordofan,...

Acrimony and accusations have raged in the wake of the 5 March Israeli raid on the densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza. (News in Brief).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * Acrimony and accusations have raged in the wake of the 5 March Israeli raid on the densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza, in which at least 11 Palestinians were killed and 100 wounded. Palestinian officials say the assault was a...

8 March 1963. (Time Was).(note from history)
March 7, 2003... Trade between Iraq and Kuwait resumes following the re-opening of the border. The first transaction is the purchase by a Kuwaiti merchant of 100,000 tonnes of Iraqi cement

Buying Baghdad: as the diplomatic pressure grows and the military build-up in the Gulf approaches its peak, Edmund O'Sullivan argues the US is preparing to pay top dollar for a bankrupt Iraq. (Cover Story: Iraq).(Column)
March 7, 2003... Imagine you are a stockholder in a firm that aims to make a hostile $95,000 million take-over bid for a notorious, failing and badly-run corporation 6,000 miles from home, headed by an eccentric, bullying megalomaniac and which produces a...

PIM issued for Sohar refining debt: international bank appetite is key. (Banking & Finance).(preliminary information memorandum)
March 7, 2003... International banks are preparing to respond by 28 March to a preliminary information memorandum (PIM) for the commercial debt financing package on the 125,000-barrel-a-day (bid) Sohar refinery project. Sohar Refinery Company (SRC) is...

NBK still hungry for ABQ. (Banking & Finance).(National Bank of Kuwait wants minority position in Al-Ahli Bank of Qatar)
March 7, 2003... Discussions over the acquisition by National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) of a significant minority position in Al-Ahli Bank of Qatar (ABQ) are understood to have reached an advanced stage. Three parties are involved in the negotiations: NBK, ABQ's...

Khalifa Bank placed under administration. (Banking & Finance).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... The Banque d'Algerie (BdA -- central bank) on 3 March appointed a temporary administrator to take over the management of Khalifa Bank, the largest local private bank, citing concerns that the incumbent management was failing to take adequate...

Gulf International Bank (GIB) has been mandated as the financial adviser for the project to build an ammonia/urea fertiliser plant in Sohar for a joint venture of Engro Chemical Pakistan and Oman Oil Company. (News in Brief: Oman).
March 7, 2003... * Gulf International Bank (GIB) has been mandated as the financial adviser for the project to build an ammonia/urea fertiliser plant in Sohar for a joint venture of Engro Chemical Pakistan and Oman Oil Company (MEED 21:2:03). Total financing...

JGC wins Bab upgrade contract: capacity to rise by 150,000 b/d. (Oil & Gas).(Bab field in Abu Dhabi)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Japan's JGC Corporation has been awarded an estimated AED 334 million ($91 million) engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to upgrade production capacity at the Bab field in Abu Dhabi (MEED 10:3:03;15:11:02). The 20-month...

Tender due for Takreer condensate project. (Oil & Gas/Petrochemicals).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) has invited international firms to respond by 11 March to an inquiry for a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract to increase capacity of the condensate processing trains at Ruwais (UAE, MEED...

Gassi Touil bids expected by mid-year. (Oil & Gas/Petrochemicals).(gas project)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... State energy company Sonatrach expects to call for commercial bids for the Gassi Touil gas project by the middle of the year, a company official confirmed on 3 March. Financial offers for the six-field integrated gas project were originally...

PIC approaches decision on aromatics complex. (Petrochemicals).(Petrochemical Industries Company)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... The local Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) is evaluating proposals from two companies - France's IFP and the US' UOP - to provide the technology for a proposed aromatics complex to be set up at the Shuaiba industrial area (MEED 7:2:03;...

Oil prices follow Iraq twists and turns.
March 7, 2003... Oil prices remain resolutely high despite repeated assurances from OPEC leaders that they will ensure that supply is maintained in the event of a war in Iraq. "We will pump maximum capacity if the market needs it." OPEC President Abdullah...

USACE calls up US contractors for Iraq: compressed schedule will allow for quick awards of contracts. (Construction).(US Army Corps of Engineers)
March 7, 2003... The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has invited 13 contractors to bid for reconstruction work in Iraq. Request for proposal (RFP) documents issued on 26 February call for contractors to provide "a full range of design and construction...

Alba steel packages out to bid. (Construction).(Aluminium Babrain)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Contractors have until 23 March to bid for the structural steel subcontract for the fifth potline expansion of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). The package covers the supply and erection of between 10,000-12,000 tonnes of steel for pot-lines 9 and 10....

The bid submission deadline has been further extended to 23 March for a contract to build a new headquarters for the State Audit Bureau in Shuwaikh. (News in Brief: Kuwait).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * The bid submission deadline has been further extended to 23 March for a contract to build a new headquarters for the State Audit Bureau (SAB) in Shuwaikh. The estimated KD 15 million ($48 million) contract calls for the construction of a...

The Council for Development and Reconstruction has called for expressions of interest from consultants to supervise two major water projects around Baalbek. (News in Brief: Lebanon).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * The Council for Development and Reconstruction has called for expressions of interest from consultants to supervise two major water projects around Baalbek. The first contract is to supervise the construction of 160 kilometres of sewer pipes,...

KEO International Consultants. (News in Brief: Qatar).(gets contract)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * The local office of KEO International Consultants has been appointed the planning and design consultant for the Doha central market project. Designs are due to take seven months. The estimated QR 73 million ($20 million) project calls for the...

Up to 14 local companies are prequalified to submit bids by 9 March for a contract to build 100 luxury villas, a clubhouse and related facilities on the breakwater in Abu Dhabi. (New in Brief: UAE).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * Up to 14 local companies are prequalified to submit bids by 9 March for a contract to build 100 luxury villas, a clubhouse and related facilities on the breakwater in Abu Dhabi. They include Arabian Construction Company, Al-Habtoor...

Emaar Properties. (News in Brief: UAE).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * The local Emaar Properties has extended the bid submission deadline to 16 March for a contract to build the second batch of buildings on the Dubai Marina project. Known as 7WX, the design-and-build contract covers the construction of towers...

Fresh prices due for Abu Dhabi corniche extension. (Construction).
March 7, 2003... Abu Dhabi Municipality has retendered the first-phase contract to extend the corniche, following its decision to replace the original contractor -- BM Engineering & Construction Company of Turkey. Fresh prices are due to be returned by 10...

Bids are due to be returned by 9 March for the external works package an the Abu Dhabi conference palace development. (News in Brief: UAE).
March 7, 2003... * Bids are due to be returned by 9 March for the external works package an the Abe Dhabi conference palace development. Seven companies are pre-qualified to price the estimated AED 300 million ($82 million) contract. The contract is scheduled...

Norr Group Consultants International. (News in Brief: UAE).(consultant on mixed-use development )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * The bid submission deadline has been further., extended to 23 March for the main package on the proposed Al-Fattan Towers project in Dubai. Up to eight inter national and local companies are expected to price the con tract, estimated to be...

Decision due on Urban Transport: first package will be awarded by the end of the month. (Transport).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Six consultants shortlisted for the contract to supervise construction work on the corridor improvement package of the $100 million Beirut Urban Transport Project (BUTP) will hear if they have won the package by the end of March. Tenders...

The Khalifa Group. (News in Brief: Algeria).
March 7, 2003... * The Khalifa Group, through its Philipp Holzmann subsidiary, in mid-January won a Eur 50 million ($54 million) contract to build a 160-kilometre railway line from Tebassa near the Tunisian border to the town of Am M'Lila, south of Constantine;...

Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company. (News in Brief: Kuwait).
March 7, 2003... * Kuwait-based Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company (AMPIC) is scheduled to take delivery of two crude carriers, each with capacity of 105,000 tonnes. The first vessel, to be named Zirku, is due to be delivered in April. This will be...

CRH moves forward with Beni Suef acquisition: Banque Misr is assessing the offer. (Industry).
March 7, 2003... CRH of Ireland has reconfirmed its offer to acquire a 34 per cent stake in Misr Beni Suef Cement Company, the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange (CASE) reported in early March. Both companies have declined to comment on the details of the offer,...

Italians close to winning Hadeed contract. (Industry).(Saudi Iron & Steel Company)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Saudi Iron & Steel Company (Hadeed) has taken a first step towards upgrading its Jubail steel plant by signing a letter of intent with Italy's Danieli & Company for a project to enhance and diversify its products range. Under the SR 54...

Amman revives Al-Samra IPP: four developers lined up after Tractebel's exit. (Power & Water).(independent power project)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... The government has invited four groups to bid for the estimated $300 million Kherbet al-Samra independent power project (IPP), three months after Belgium's Tractebel confirmed that it had decided not to proceed with the project. Bidders are...

Three groups of US-based companies have submitted revised bids for the estimated $120 million-140 million Wadi Main, Zahra and Mujib water treatment project after changes to the scope of work. (News in Brief: Jordan).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * Three groups of US-based companies have submitted revised bids for the estimated $120, million-140 million Wadi Main, Zahra and Mujib water treatment project after changes to the scope of work. The bidders are: Morganti, with Frances Ondeo...

Clarifications due on Youssifiyah plant. (Power & Water).
March 7, 2003... Russia's Technopromexport plans to submit in early March UN-requested clarifications on a contract to construct the cooling tower system at the Youssifiyah power plant. The company was awarded the turnkey contract for the water cooling system...

Weir signs up for Kindasa RO. (Power & Water).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... The UK's Weir Westgarth signed on 2 March a turnkey contract to build a 25,500-cubic-metre-a-day (cm/d) reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant in Jeddah for Kindasa Water Services. Kindasa is 20 per cent owned by the Bushnak Water Group, which...

Five groups submitted bids in late February for the contract to upgrade the Hussain power station in Zarqa and convert the plant to combined cycle. (News in Brief: Jordan).
March 7, 2003... * Five groups submitted bids in late February for the contract to upgrade the Hussein power station in Zarqa and convert the plant to combined cycle. The bidders for the gas turbine contract are: Germany's Siemens; Saudi BinLadin Industrial &...

The Public Authority for Industry. (News in Brief: Kuwait).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... * The Public Authority for Industry (PAI) has extended the deadline to 15 March for companies to prequalify for an estimated KD 13 million 14 million ($40 million-45 million) contract to revamp and upgrade the existing seawater cooling plant at...

Cairo holds out for foreign cash but faces investor action in the courts: government wants to pour some of the funds into the banking system to stabilise the pound. (Economy).
March 7, 2003... The government is understood to have requested at least $3,000 million in aid from the US in order to offset economic repercussions from a possible war in Iraq, sources close to the negotiations in Washington say. The financial package will be...

Cairo holds out for foreign cash but faces investor action in the courts. (Economy).
March 7, 2003... A series of pending investment arbitration suits against the government in the international courts is a salutary reminder that, despite Cairo's apparent new-found commitment to economic reform, the course of foreign investment has not always...

First private sector debt issue in pipeline: medium-term notes precede the capital markets law. (Companies & Markets).(Saudi Orix Leasing Company)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Saudi Orix Leasing Company (SOLC) is preparing to issue the kingdom's first private sector debt instruments. The offering of SR 50 million ($13.3 million) worth of medium-term obligations is expected to open in mid-to-late March, a banker close...

KSE surges as closure looms.(Kuwait Stock Exchange)(Illustration)
March 7, 2003... Despite the probability of war in Iraq, trading on the KUWAIT STOCK EXCHANGE (KSE) reached fever pitch in the week to 5 March, with total turnover averaging $122 mullion against $22 million in the previous week. Investors, now almost inured to...

Mutual interests. (Special Report: Qatar).(Qatar's relationship with US, economics)
March 7, 2003... As events in the Gulf move towards their inevitable climax, qatar stands as the us' key ally in the region--its military agreements with washington ensuring its place in the spotlight. at a time of burgeoning economic and industrial growth, and...

Databank.(Middle East economic statistics)(Illustration)
March 7, 2003... Databank: Economic forecasts, 2002-2003 Real GDP growth Current account Budget deficit/surpl ...

5 March 1988. (Time Was).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Iraq and Iran embark on a new phase in the Gulf war by raining down missiles on each others cities. The launch of more than 30 missiles against Baghdad, Tehran and Don over a four-day period stands as a dramatic escalation in the conflict

6 March 1998. (Time Was).(Brief Article)
March 7, 2003... Iraq is claiming victory over the US after UN Security-General Kofi Annan managed to clinch an 11th-hour diplomatic solution to the crisis over weapons inspections

Tehran and Buenos Aires on collision course. (Seven Days).(Over arrest warrants issued on 7 March by an Argentine judge for four Iranian officials. )(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Relations between Argentina and the Islamic republic suffered another setback on 12 March, when Tehran withdrew its highest diplomat from Buenos Aires for "consultations". The move came two days after Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Argentine...

Not gone but still forgotten, the old war rages on. (Seven Days).(The Al-Aqsa intifada )
March 14, 2003... While the world's statesmen bend their minds to the question of Iraq, little is being done to address the conflict that has preoccupied the people of the Middle East for half a century and dominated the foreign policy agendas of their...

Libya prepares to step in from the cold. (Seven Days).(The ending of sanctions against Libya and the return of Tripoli to full participation in the international communit)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Talks held in London between UK, US and Libyan officials on 11 March made important headway towards the ending of sanctions against Libya and the return of Tripoli to full participation in the international community. The talks centred on...

First Gulf war. (News in Brief).(Iraq and Iran on 13 March were reported to have agreed terms on the release of all remaining prisoners of war held since the first Gulf war.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Iraq and Iran on 13 March were reported to have agreed terms on the release of all remaining prisoners of war held since the first Gulf war. According to the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, 941 Iraqi POWs would be freed from Iranian jails, while...

15 March 1963. (Time Was).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... A coup d'etat in Damascus marks the end of a two-year conservative interregnum and the gradual return to supremacy of the Syrian Baath Party

12 March 1988. (Time Was).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... A US land-for-peace plan for a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict falters after it is rejected by both the Israeli and Syrian governments

13 March 1998. (Time Was).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Washington's claim that a UN Security Council resolution passed on 2 March gives it the right to use force if Iraq impedes weapons inspections is strongly contested by other council members

Preparing for the peace. (Cover Story: Iraq).(As war seems increasingly unavoidable, the UN is planning for the peace)
March 14, 2003... The UN's future is in question. American hard-liners warn that deep divisions in the Security Council threaten to tear the world body apart. British conciliators warn that the US will create a new world order in its image if its military plans...

Alba financing nears final hurdle: possibility of UFJ tranche grows. (Banking & Finance).(United Financial of Japan Bank (UFJ) )(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Four of the five major tranches on the $1,550 million financing package for Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) are scheduled to be signed on 17 March. Syndication of the $500 million commercial tranche has moved smoothly, with commitments totalling...

GIB's profits hold in difficult year. (Banking & Finance).(Gulf International Bank)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Bahrain-based Gulf International Bank (GIB) has reported net profits of $85.3 million for 2002, a 15 per cent decline on the previous year. Given the adverse market conditions, the performance is impressive and the altered shape of the bank's...

OPP advisory postponed. (Banking & Finance).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The four banks shortlisted for the financial advisory mandate on the proposed Sohar polypropylene project have been informed by the client, Oman Polypropylene (OPP), that no mandate will be awarded before the third, or possibly fourth quarter....

ABN Amro wins GTL advisory. (Banking & Finance).(The proposed gas-to-liquids (GTL) project being promoted by South Africa's Sasol and National Petrochemical Company (NPC))(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The Netherlands' ABN Amro has been awarded the first-phase financial advisory on the proposed gas-to-liquids (GTL) project being promoted by South Africa's Sasol and National Petrochemical Company (NPC). The work will centre on a financial...

United Gulf Bank (UGB) has reported net profits for 2002 of $9.6 million, more than double the $4 million earned in 2001. (News in Brief).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Bahrain-based United Gulf Bank (UGB) has reported net profits for 2002 of $9.6 million, more than double the $4 million earned in 2001. The improved bottom line comes on the back of better performances in most of the bank's key activities,...

Investcorp has obtained shareholder approval for its proposed share consolidation, at the rate of one new share for every 1,000 ordinary shares held. (News in Brief).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Bahrain-based Investcorp has obtained shareholder approval for its proposed share consolidation, at the rate of one new share for every 1,000 ordinary shares held. The minimum shareholding requirement will be set at 100 of the new shares, with...

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). (People).(Has announced the appointment of Naser Nabulsi as chief executive officer)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced the appointment of Naser Nabulsi as chief executive officer. Nabulsi was vice-president at Merrill Lynch before moving to the UAE in 2001 to take up a position as senior investment...

HSBC raises net in Middle East. (Banking & Finance).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... HSBC Bank Middle East posted profits before tax for 2002 of $240.9 million, a 12 per cent improvement on the previous year. The main driver for the improved performance was a sharp reduction in the level of provisioning: the charge for bad and...

A new twist to NEAD project: EPC contract could be retendered in two or more packages. (Oil & Gas).(The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on the Northeast Abu Dhabi (NEAD) project)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... A team of Paris-based Technip-Coflexip with the local National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) is understood to have submitted on 10 March a further revised commercial price of about AED 2,231 million ($608 million) for the engineering,...

Bids submitted for compressor package. (Oil & Gas).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Seven international companies submitted commercial bids by 8 March for the compressor package on the Bu Hasa and the Northeast Abu Dhabi (NEAD) oil field development projects (MEED 28:2:03; 8:11:02). They are Dresser Engineering of the US,...

Tender due for Abu Dhabi pipeline project. (Oil & Gas).(The inter-refinery pipelines (IRP) project)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) has invited international firms to respond by 15 March to an inquiry for the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract on a major crude oil and condensate export facility at Ruwais (MEED 20:12:02;...

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. (News in Brief: UAE).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The deadline for submission of technical bids has been extended by a month to 5 April for a contract to build a major hazardous waste treatment plant at Ruwais. A provisional deadline of 3 May has been set for the submission of commercial...

Tender due for two Dolphin packages. (Oil & Gas).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Prequalifications have been finalised for two upstream packages on the proposed Dolphin Energy gas export project (MEED 27:1:03). The first package, expected to be issued soon for bid, will cover the installation of a dual 36-inch-diameter...

South Pars drilling tender reissued. (Oil & Gas).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The local Pars Oil & Gas Company (POGC) in mid-March reissued a tender package calling for the drilling of several development wells and the provision of related services at phases 9-10 of the South Pars offshore gas scheme. Five companies were...

Petronas expects to complete the drilling of its first appraisal well on the Ahnet gas permit by late March. (News in Brief: Algeria).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Malaysia's Petronas expects to complete the drilling of its first appraisal well on the Ahnet gas permit by late March. The company, which is the operator for the exploration and appraisal phase of the development, plans to spud a second well...

US' Amerada Hess is expected to spud its first exploration well on Block 401c by mid-March. (News in Brief: Algeria).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The US' Amerada Hess is expected to spud its first exploration well on Block 401c by mid-March. The company has a 60 per cent stake and is the operator for the field, having signed an exploration contract with state energy company Sonatrach in...

Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) is expected to issue a tender by April for its revised $600 million low-sulphur diesel production (LSDP) upgrade project at the Sitra refinery. (News in Brief: Bahrain).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) is expected to issue a tender by April for its revised $600 million low-sulphur diesel production (LSDP) upgrade project at the Sitra refinery. The prospective bidders for the main engineering, procurement and...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 14, 2003... The value of the subcontract carried out by South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company on phases 4-5 of the South Pars gas development scheme is $1.2 billion and not $1 .2 million. MEED apologises for the typographical error (MEED...

KOC wants more time on PMC contract. (Oil & Gas).(Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has requested that the four bidders for the project management consultancy (PMC) post extend the validity of their bid bonds by two months until 9 May.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has requested that the four bidders for the project management consultancy (PMC) post extend the validity of their bid bonds by two months until 9 May. The bidders are AMEC of the UK and Parsons Engineering Corporation,...

China and Syria sign oil deal. (Oil & Gas).(Syrian Petroleum Company on 2 March signed a 25-year production sharing agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Syrian Petroleum Company on 2 March signed a 25-year production sharing agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) for the development of the Kebibe field in northeastern Syria. The contract will be fulfilled in two phases....

Talisman completes Greater Nile sale. (Oil & Gas).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Canada's Talisman Energy on 9 March completed the long-delayed sale of its 25 per cent stake in the Greater Nile oil project to India's ONGC Videsh, a subsidiary of state-owned Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, for $771 million. Talisman has...

PDO to tender 48-inch loop. (Oil & Gas).(Petroleum Development Oman)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has expanded the scope of works on the project to build a 48-inch-diameter gas loop-line from the central Oman gas fields to the liquefaction facilities of Oman LNG, located at Sur. A tender for the main...

Tebodin Middle East, part of Tebodin of the Netherlands. (News in Brief: Oman).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... Tebodin Middle East, part of Tebodin of the Netherlands, is due to finish front-end engineering and design (FEED) work on the Yibal field depletion project within six months of the completion of a pre-FEED study (MEED 3:1:03). The project is...

Making plans in an uncertain world. (Oil & Gas).(OPEC oil ministers gathered in Vienna on 11 March for their regular quarterly meeting )(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... As the likelihood of war in Iraq grows, and with it the prospects of disruption to global oil supply, OPEC holds its nerve over quotas. Clare Dunkley reports on the quarterly meeting and the current state of the supply/demand equation OPEC...

UAE's Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) has signed an agreement with the local Middle East Oil Refinery (Midor) and Middle East Tankage & Pipelines (Midtap). (News in Brief: Egypt).(To establish a network of roadside service stations in Egypt.)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The UAE's Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) has signed an agreement with the local Middle East Oil Refinery (Midor) and Middle East Tankage & Pipelines (Midtap) to establish a network of roadside service stations in Egypt. Under...

US-based Petrofac International and SK Engineering & Construction of South Korea--attended a pre-tender meeting held on 2 March. (News in Brief: Kuwait).(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... A clearer picture has emerged of the contract to install a new desalination unit at gathering centre (GC) 27. Of the 37 companies prequalified to submit bids for the contract, only two-US-based Petrofac International and SK Engineering &...

France's Air Liquide, Germany's Linde and US-based Air Products--have completed technical discussions with the client. (News in Brief: Qatar).(Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. )(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The three bidders for the Ras Laffan helium plant are preparing to submit commercial bids on 23 March. The bidders-France's Air Liquide, Germany's Linde and US-based Air Products-have completed technical discussions with the client. An award is...

Saudi Aramco for the contract to build a seawater treatment plant to provide water for injection at the onshore Ain Dar end Shedgum oil fields. (News in Brief: Saudi Arabia).(The evaluation of prequalification proposals is under way)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The evaluation of prequalification proposals is under way at Saudi Aramco for the contract to build a seawater treatment plant to provide water for injection at the onshore Ain Dar end Shedgum oil fields in the Eastern Province, Engineering,...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 14, 2003... Parsons Oman Engineering Company has not submitted a bid for the Sober pipeline contract, but has offered to provide subcontracting services to the local ILF & Partners Oman, which is one of five bidders for the contract.

Kvaerner closes in on BDO: offtake agreements also on track. (Petrochemicals).(Butanediol plant)(Brief Article)
March 14, 2003... The Norwegian Kvaerner E&C is in advanced talks with Saudi International Petrochemical Company (SIPC) for the contract to build a butanediol (BDO) plant at SIPC's proposed complex in Jubail. A final agreement for the engineering, procurement...