Located in Sohar, Oman, approximately 235 kilometers northwest of thecapital Muscat, the greenfield project also included a carbon plant, aningot metal casting facility, and a port facility for storage and shiploading and unloading.

"We are delighted to have completed the project on schedule and withinbudget," says Project Manager Andy Cameron. "It has been a huge challengein today's hot construction climate, and is a testimony to the dedicationand hard work of the Bechtel project team, our contractors, and owner,Sohar Aluminium."

"As a team, we are extremely proud of our safety record. At the time ofproducing the first hot metal, we've worked almost 12 million consecutive,accident-free hours," said Cameron. Goods and services for the project wereprocured from 28 different countries, with more than $300 million alsobeing spent in the local Omani business community.

Bechtel was responsible for approximately 50 percent of the construction,and managed construction of the remainder. A key part of Bechtel'sconstruction program was the recruitment and training of more than 800Omani craft workers. "Our training program was the largest of its type todate in Oman," says Steve Pritchard, construction manager. "The decision tohire and train women was also new for Oman."

Working for Bechtel has been the start of a career for many Omani craftworkers, some of whom will work for the Sohar Aluminium operations team andother international construction companies.

Sohar Aluminium expects full production by December 2008.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is one of the world's premier engineering, construction, andproject management companies. Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel hasworked on more than 22,000 projects in 140 countries. Today, our 42,500employees are teamed with customers, partners, and suppliers on hundredsof projects in nearly 50 countries. For more information about Bechtelvisit www.bechtel.com.

About Sohar

Sohar Aluminium's shareholders are Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Water &Electricity Authority, and Rio Tinto Alcan. The company was established inSeptember 2004 to construct and operate a single AP35 potline aluminiumsmelter with an associated power plant. For more information about SoharAluminium Company, visit www.sohar-aluminium.com.