Engineering for the Petroleum & Process Industries (Enppi) has signed an agreement with Technip and Assiut National Oil Processing Company (ANOPC) to begin preparations for the construction of the mazut hydrogen cracking complex, Egypt Oil & Gas reported.

The $1.9 billion complex is a part of the development of the Assiut Refining Company (ASORC), itself a part of the Ministry of Petroleum’s strategy to secure local demand for petroleum products.

The agreement was signed by Mohamed Badr, head of ANOPC, Technip’s Francisco Kamarta, and Enppi head, Alaa Hegazy.

The companies will now go ahead with preparatory work for the project which includes drawing up designs, budgeting, negotiating with suppliers, and preparing the site.