MUSCAT, 4 April 2005 — America’s giant Bechtel has bagged the prestigious Sohar smelter project’s engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract, a local newspaper reported yesterday, qouting Bechtel sources. Times of Oman said Bechtel and Canada’s SNC-Lavalin were in the final race for the EPCM contract.” Subsequently, Bechtel has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the job’’, the daily said. Canada’s Alcan holds 20 percent share in Sohar Aluminum Company .The remaining 80 percent is equally shared by Oman Oil Company and Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority. Alcan also has the option of acquiring up to 60 percent of a planned second potline with a capacity of about 330,000 tonnes per annum. Sohat Aluminum Company is to establish the first production line and an associated gas operated power plant witn a capacity of 800MW.The metal production is to start by the end of 2007.