Saudi Arabia: Jizan refinery project, bidding and security issuesnote

Saudi Oil Minister Ali Nuaimi stated recently that six foreign companies and eight local companies have already been pre-qualified to bid for the Jizan refinery project. But for lack of bidders, the Saudi Oil Ministry continues offering incentives and setting new deadlines for bidders. It was expected to close bids on 7/3/09, but had now to postpone it until 2/9/09. The following 333-word report focuses on the bidding issue and tells some names of foreign and local bidders. It also focuses on the security issue related to the refinery project.