SapuraKencana is said to have offered a price of $21.485 million for the offshore project, while a consortium of Singapore-based Kreuz Subsea with India’s Das Offshore was a close second, offering $22.231 million, sources said.

At least three leading offshore transport and installation contractors had submitted bids to ONGC last month.

United Arab Emirates-based Valentine Maritime was also believed to have taken part, but it could not be confirmed whether ONGC opened its price bid.