Iraq lets contract for Karbala refinery

Iraq’s Oil Projects Co. has let a contract to Technip for project management consultancy for the engineering, procurement, and construction of the Karbala refinery.

In July 2011, Iraq’s ministry of oil signed an agreement with Karbala Refinery Corp. Ltd. for the construction of a 200,000-b/d refinery in the Karbala region (OGJ Online, Aug. 1, 2011).

The Karbala project is part of Iraq’s longer-term plan to construct four new refineries in an effort to add 750,000 b/d of refining capacity. The other three new refineries are to be at Nassiriya, Maysan, and Kirkuk.

The award to Technip follows completion of front-end engineering and design by the engineering firm completed in 2010.

Current scope of the work will cover two phases; Technip will complete the first phase in this year’s second half.