Baku – Saipem has been awarded a new Engineering & Construction contract in the Caucasus region and some new Drilling contracts in the Middle East, for a total value of approximately $750 million. In the E&C onshore sector, Saipem has been awarded by the Shah Deniz consortium, in joint venture with Azfen JV, a leading Azerbaijani contractor, the contract for the construction and commissioning of the expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline in Azerbaijan and Georgia. The scope of work for this contract includes the construction of a 428km pipeline loop and associated above ground installations, including block valves, a pigging facility and tie-ins in Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as the construction of a 59km second pipeline loop and associated above ground installations in Georgia. The expanded section of the South Caucasus Pipeline will start approximately 23km from the Sangachal Terminal, located south-west of Baku, in Azerbaijan, and will end in Georgia just south of Tbilisi. The project will be completed by the second quarter of 2018. (9colonne)