Paris-based GDF Suez is preparing the ground to issue invitations to tender for front-end engineering and design work on its $5 billion Cameroon LNG export scheme.

Foster Wheeler wrapped up pre-FEED studies in mid-2011 and will likely be a key contender to secure the full design job, which is due to start in the second half of next year.

Raphael Tilot, GDF’s head of Cameroon LNG, said on the sidelines of the Gastech conference in London this week, however, that this will be a competitive tender and Foster Wheeler would not be an automatic winner.

He declined to specify when bid documents would be released in order to meet the second-half 2013 start schedule because the timing depends on securing access to gas...