Bids for the first phase of Ras Markaz crude storage park are due in next month, a top official was quoted as saying in an Oman Observer report.

Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of state-run Oman Oil Company (OOC), is developing giant storage terminal as part of Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the report said.

Phase 1 of the facility, which includes the development of around 20 million barrels of crude storage capacity plus associated infrastructure, is currently under tender.

“The prequalified Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) bidders are busy putting their bids together,” said Said al Maawali, project director — OTTCO. “We expect to receive both the commercial and technical bids by mid-May.”

The crude storage terminal at Ras Markaz at full build will offer a capacity of 200 million barrels, he noted.