Jacobs sues for £4.7m over Qatar Petroleum project

An international row has erupted over a project to build a massive new base for Qatar Petroleum, with one UK subcontractor claiming it is owed more than £4.7m.

Construction consultancy Jacobs UK provided detailed design and advice to contractor Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) to build the oil giant a complex including a mosque, sports centre and offices in Doha.

But in February 2008 Jacobs was taken off the project "for convenience" by New York-based SOM.

Jacobs had been paid £5m for work since April 2006, including the design of the masterplan, but alleges it is owed another £4.7m.

In a writ filed at the Technology and Construction Court, Jacobs alleges SOM has not paid six invoices dated between October 2007 and March 2008.

The writ says SOM and Jacobs had planned to agree to a formal deal but could not settle on the final form of the agreement.

Jacobs is suing SOM for the £4.7m plus damages and interest.