Willbros wins pipeline and refinery projects

Willbros Group announced that both its Upstream and Downstream segments have been awarded new projects, valued at approximately $ 181 mm.
Willbros US Construction has been awarded a contract to construct the Texas Independence Pipeline by Energy Transfer Fuel, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer. The project consists of 143 miles of 42-inch natural gas pipeline from Minden in Rusk County, Texas, to a point near Maypearl in Ellis County, Texas. Work is scheduled to start in March 2009 to meet a third quarter 2009 in-service date.

Additionally, Willbros' Downstream segment, InServ, has received verbal commitment from National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) to extend its current contract for Program Management Services associated with portions of the planned Heavy Crude Expansion Project (HCEP) and associated major capital projects through September 30, 2011.
The NCRA projects are associated with modifications to existing process units, facilities and infrastructure to position the NCRA Refinery to process additional heavy sour crude(s) in the future. Additionally, the projects to be managed under InServ's Program Management Services contract are essential to continued operations due to current regulations, environmental permitting requirements, on-going safety improvements, and improved operational efficiency.

InServ's new commitment from NCRA is to continue completion of AFE development activities plus manage the execution of engineering, procurement and construction of the projects. InServ's Construction Service Group, Houston, Texas, is also one of two general contractors that have been issued an LOI for construction work on NCRA's projects.
The InServ Program Management Team will manage the Contracts and Purchase Orders, in the context of providing predictable project implementation and costs, and provide required services to ensure compatibility, quality, scope, best value, and schedule for the NCRA projects.

National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) with corporate office and refinery in McPherson, Kansas is an interregional petroleum cooperative owned by three regional affiliated local cooperatives in the North Central United States.
Randy Harl, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to announce these two awards which demonstrate our potential market opportunities. Both Energy Transfer and NCRA are valued customers for which we have performed multiple successful projects. We appreciate their confidence in our execution abilities and look forward to completing two more important projects on their behalf."

Willbros Group, Inc. is an independent contractor serving the oil, gas, power, refining and petrochemical industries, providing engineering, construction, turnaround, maintenance, life cycle extension services and facilities development and operations services to industry and government entities worldwide.