The Pearl-Qatar awards second Site Testing Contract

Fugro Middle East, part of the Fugro Group of Companies, one of the world’s leading companies in sub-surface exploration and geotechnical interpretation, has won its second contract for The Pearl-Qatar, the US $2.5 billion island being reclaimed offshore Qatar in the Arabian Gulf.

Fugro Middle East won the award from the project’s developers, United Development Company of Qatar, for structure specific site testing of the area around Porto Arabia, the island’s main marina, in the face of competition from six GCC companies invited to tender.

“Fugro’s expertise both in the region and with reclaimed projects was the deciding factor,” said Nick Bashkiroff, Development Director, The Pearl-Qatar.

Fugro Middle East will now immediately begin drilling land and marine bore on the Porto Arabia sites, which will house multi-storey residential towers which will flank the main harbour of the Riviera-style island.

“Laboratory testing of soil and rock samples will determine the parameters for foundation design and the construction work can then commence,” said Nick Willet, Deputy Manager, Fugro Middle East.

Fugro Middle East previously carried out the preliminary investigation and soil sampling for The Pearl-Qatar prior to the launch of reclamation work last April.

“We anticipate the work taking four months to complete and it will take place in tandem with reclamation operations,” explained Willet.

Reclamation of the The Pearl-Qatar is currently a month ahead of schedule and piling for the first seven of the multi-storey Porto Arabia towers is due to commence mid November.

“We are well on target to ensuring that these towers, which will house the first freehold properties in Qatar ever to be offered for sale to international investors, will be ready for residency on schedule late 2006/early 2007,” said Bashkiroff.

The 20-storey towers, which have been designed in four Mediterranean styles – Monaco, Tuscan, Provencal and Florentine - will feature a range of fashionable apartments, luxury penthouses and elegant town homes.

“Most will have sweeping views of what will be a regional yachting hub with a café style culture reminiscent of the best of the Mediterranean,” said Bashkiroff.

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