Oman to open tenders for new liquid terminal

The tender process to build Oman’s new liquid terminal to cater for a world-scale oil refinery will open shortly, the Port of Duqm has reportedly confirmed.

The new terminal, initially 3km long, is expected to be large enough to handle the import and export requirements of the new oil refinery planned for Duqm, which is forecast to produce 230,000 barrels per day.

It would also accommodate the needs of a future oil and petrochemical based industry and tank farm expected to be built in the special economic zone, Oman Daily Observer reported.

“We are now working on the formalities relating to the design and construction of the Liquid Terminal that will be used primarily for the supply of crude to the planned refinery,” the newspaper quoted Port of Duqm commercial director Reggy Vermeulen as saying.

“Our objective is to have the terminal up and running in 2017, in parallel with the targeted launch of the refinery project.

“In the initial years, the refinery will operate on crude brought by ship because there is no pipeline in place at the moment. Later on, however, part of the finished product will (be marketed domestically) and part will be exported.”

The Duqm project is the largest construction development presently in Oman.

The plans include a port and dry dock complex, an international airport, a new town designed for 100,000 people, a 6000-hectare industrial zone, and a tourism zone.

The government-owned Oman Oil Company also has announced it is considering building a 200 million barrel capacity storage facility for crude oil and petroleum products at Ras Markaz, which would be one of the largest oil storage facilities in the world.