In a statement EMA said the winner would be picked in January and would is expected to complete the feasibility study within 12 months

"The shortlist was expected in early October but was delayed due to the overwhelming number of bidders,” EMA said.

“An international field included interests from Japan, the US, Europe and Singapore, from a range of industry segments such as oil and gas companies, and construction to LNG users and consultants.”

It is understood that EMA will conduct an in-depth review of the candidates and this could include further clarification of submitted documents. The successful consultant would be expected to study all aspects from sourcing the LNG to the technical viability of the proposed terminal, according to Facts Inc senior consultant, Hassan Vahidy.

“[The study] includes where to buy the LNG, when to buy, should it be on a spot or term basis, where to locate an LNG terminal, environmental factors and others,” Vahidy said.

“Such a wide-ranging study would take about a year to complete.”

Singapore curretnly depends upon its neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia for its natural gas needs. The LNG terminal project came about following a 29 June nationwide blackout. If completed, the facility was expected to cost US$606 million and would take five years to build.