Qatar Petroleum has awarded a QR163 million ($44.7 million) contract to carry out the Phase 2 upgrade of the Mesaieed tank farm to the local contractor Manco International General Contracting.

Enereco Qatar is the consultant on this project.

The engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (EPIC) contract entails the demolition of the existing crude oil tanks and the construction of six new ones.

The floating-roof tank will be 60 m in diameter and 19 m high. The project also includes upgrade of existing infrastructure at the tank farm, installation of additional oil loading pump and new control building.

The project work is scheduled to commence by mid-January and will be completed by July 2007.

Meanwhile, Qatar Petroleum has invited contractors to prequalify by the middle of this month (mid-February) for two contracts. The first is for second phase work on a project to upgrade the sewerage network and refurbish pumping stations in Mesaieed.

The tender is open to registered "Grade A" contractors with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture with experience in refurbishing wastewater plants, pumping stations, sewerage networks and elevated (steel) spherical storage tanks.

The work includes final engineering, procurement, installation, pre-commissioning and commissioning services for the upgrading works. It also includes pumping rations, sewers, rising mains, TSE networks and MSTP.

Qatar Petroleum has invited prequalification bids for the phase 2 upgrade of Halul Harbour. The works covers site survey, engineering, procurement, construction and demolition/excavation necessary for the construction of a breakwater with a full berthing facility.

The north quay will be extended by 60 m. This will be constructed with a new sheet pile wall to the east end of the existing quay. The construction will include new fenders, mooring bollards and cathodic protection system, demolition of existing east breakwater and seawater pump house and dredging of the enlarged harbour basin at Halul.

The work is expected to begin on May 15 and has a contract period of 26 months.