AME Info, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, oil and gas briefs column.(Column)

Oct. 31--ADNOC RECEIVES SECOND VESSEL: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has received the second of four twin-screw Azymuth Stern Drive type mooring work and oil recovery boats from Dubai-based shipbuilding and repair specialist Grandweld, a GMMOS Group company, in a deal worth $15.1m signed last year. The vessels, which took less than 14 monts to build, measure 20 metres long and capable reaching a top speed of 11.2 knots.

SAUDI POWER PLANT TO COST $4BN: Construction of the Ras Azzour power and water desalination plant in Saudi Arabia is likely to cost around 25 percent more than the initial estimate of $3bn, reported Reuters citing bankers financing the project. Construction costs are climbing across the Gulf, driven by increases in global prices for materials such as steel and competition among regional contractors working on $2.4tn worth of projects, which is pushing up wages.

TAQA PLANS $6BN BOND SALE: Abu Dhabi National Energy (Taqa) may sell up to $6bn worth of bonds early next year to pay for acquisitions if credit markets improve, reported Reuters. Group Vice President for Acquisitions Manu Mehra said the company has has already paid $4.5bn for acquisitions totalling $10.5bn that have been announced in the last year. ...