THE Aberdeen-based engineering company Wood has been awarded a new contract for work in southern Oman.

The Scottish firm will provide FEED (front-end engineering design) for Duqm Refinery and Petrochemicals Industries Company (DRPIC) at a proposed onshore petrochemicals facility at the Special Economic Zone Area Duqm (SEZAD).

The DRPIC contract follows Wood’s successful completion of associated studies for the facility, which included a world-scale steam cracker unit; production facilities for hydrogen, syngas, methanol, and other petrochemicals utilities.

SEZAD is one of the largest developments of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, attracting significant investment for petrochemicals and infrastructure development.

The project is also part of a drive to support Oman’s overall vision for strong and sustainable economic growth.

It will be delivered by Wood’s capital projects teams based in Oman and the UK, with works due to be completed by Q3 in 2020. Up to 300 people will work on the project during the peak delivery phase.

Dave Stewart, CEO of Wood’s Asset Solutions business in Europe, Africa, Asia & Australia, said: “This new contract continues our strong track record in delivering robust engineering design services on large, complex capital projects for greenfield developments in the Middle East.

“The award also demonstrates DRPIC’s confidence in our ability to successfully execute key design projects in support of their significant investment in Oman’s petrochemicals industry and continued growth of the SEZAD.”

In 2018, Wood secured a

contract at Duqm Refinery and also worked on ongoing project management.

After completion, the refinery and petrochemical complex will have the capacity to process around 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Wood is active in more than 60 countries and employs around 60,000 people.

DRPIC is a joint venture between Oman Oil Company and Kuwait Petroleum International.