(EnergyAsia, December 27 2012, Thursday) — Switzerland-based Foster Wheeler AG said its global engineering and construction group has been awarded a US$500 million project management and consultancy (PMC) services contract for a clean fuels project at the Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries in Kuwait.

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), which awarded the contract, is implementing a multi-billion upgrade and expansion of the refineries to increase their combined throughput by 264,000 barrels per stream day to 800,000 barrels per stream day. When completed, the plants will increase conversion of fuel oil to higher value products to meet growing demand for low-sulphur transportation fuels.

Foster Wheeler said its scope of work includes the provision of project management services during the tendering phase for the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, and management of the contractors through to completion of performance testing.

Fahed Salem Al Ajmi, KNPC’s chairman and managing director, said the clean fuels project, which is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2018, will shape the future of Kuwait’s refining capability.

Umberto della Sala, Foster Wheeler’s chief operating officer, said:

“Foster Wheeler’s proven project management capabilities, our experience in executing mega-projects, and the breadth of our refining technical expertise were critical factors in our success in winning this significant award.”