London-headquartered Amec Foster Wheeler said it had signed a contract in this regard with the Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), a joint venture between Oman Oil Company (90 per cent) and its downstream investment subsidiary, Takamul Investment Company (10 per cent).

The contract award marks a key step in the Omani government’s efforts to establish one of the world’s largest crude oil storage terminals on its shores. At full build-out, the giant facility will be designed to hold around 200 million barrels of crude oil.  Additionally, the facility will serve as an alternative to the Sultanate’s only crude export terminal at Mina al Fahal in Muscat.

Targeted in the first phase of the project is a capacity of around 25 million barrels, which is slated to come on stream by the end of 2018, the company said. It quoted Amec Foster Wheeler Group President for Asia, Middle East, Africa & Southern Europe, Roberto Penno, as stating: “We have an excellent and long-standing reputation in Oman and are already working on other key investments in the country. We are delighted to be part of this strategic project.”