RIYADH: Saudi Aramco has received two bids to develop a seawater desalination plant, which includes a water distribution network, for the Jafurah gas development scheme. Two local companies, Lamar Holding and Aljomaih Holding Co., submitted the bids last month after Saudi Aramco received prequalification applications from interested bidders in August 2021, according to a MEED report. The seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant has a design capacity of 80,000 cubic meters a day. The project also includes a water distribution network component which is expected to extend up to 200 kilometers, reported MEED, citing industry sources. Aramco announced the start of the development of its $68 billion Jafurah unconventional gas field last November. The company’s chief executive officer, Amin Nasser, had said the field could replace 500,000 barrels per day of oil production “at its peak.” Responding to Arab News" question on the cost of the gas project, Nasser stated that the first phase will cost $24 billion and will be completed by the end of 2024 or early 2025.