Recope Expects Refinery Revamp Render
Costa Rica's state oil refiner the Refinadora Costarricense Petroleo S.A. (Recope) could launch bidding in October for an EPC contract to modernize and expand its refinery in Limón.

Recope's board is due to receive by September 14 terms for the request-for-proposals announcement, a Recope official said.

Offers will be received for 90 days after the call for proposals is published, the source added.

The project aims to increase the refinery's processing capacity to 40,000 barrels a day from the current 25,000, in particular the production of lead-free gasoline and low-sulfur diesel.

Earlier this year, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a US$125 million loan to finance this second stage revamp project. Construction is slated to take two years.

Colombian, Japanese, South Korean and Mexican companies have already expressed interest in the project, the official said.