Sources told Upstream that QP issued tender documents this month to up to six shortlisted contenders, with technical bids due to be submitted in another two to three months’ time.

The operator informed participants that project specifications would change in due course, according to one industry source.

“QP wants to make some changes to the project’s front-end engineering and design (outcome) and this is likely to be carried out before the submission of the technical bids,” said a project watcher.