ABU DHABI, Nov 04, 2009 (AFP) - Takreer of Abu Dhabi has awarded contracts worth a total of 5.2 billion dollars to two South Korean companies to expand the Ruwais oil refinery, the Emirati company said on Wednesday.

GS Engineering and Construction Corp was awarded a 3.1-billion-dollar order while SK Engineering and Construction Co won a contract worth 2.1 billion dollars, it said in a statement quoted by WAM official news agency.

The contracts are part of the Ruwais expansion project, which aims to hike the site's crude oil refining capacity by 417,000 barrels per day by the end of 2013, according to Takreer, also known as Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company.

The project comprises seven contracts, it said, adding that the other five would be awarded soon. WAM said eight companies bid for the two contracts won by the Korean firms.

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