Two major international consortia are in pole position to win the engineering, procurement, construction and installation contracts for the offshore and onshore elements of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (Adnoc’s) huge Hail & Ghasha offshore sour gas development.

Several sources familiar with the development told Upstream that Adnoc is close to finalising its preferred contractors for Hail & Ghasha, with the EPCI work expected to start before the end of this year.

“Adnoc wants to fast-track the project and the work could start as early as the fourth quarter,” one person said.