Four firms are vying for the on-plant engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works for a normal paraffin (NP) and linear alkyl benzene (LAB) integrated plant to be set up in Jubail by the newly established Gulf Farabi Petrochemical Company (GFPC). In addition, eight local contractors have expressed their intention to take part in the off-plant EPC work.

The project's annual capacity is 120,000 tonnes of normal paraffin and 70,000 tonnes of LAB. The UK's Foster Wheeler Energy has been named project management consultant.

Work is expected to begin next month for completion by February 2005. Commercial production is expected to begin by March 2005.