07-11-2012

QP and Shell discuss positive progress in joint Al-Karaana petrochemicals project

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum, received Ben Van Beurden, Shell Chemicals Executive Vice President, today and reviewed positive progress in the upcoming QP-Shell Petrochemicals project, which has recently been named Al-Karaana Petrochemicals Project. The name came from one of the oldest towns in southern Qatar reflecting His Highness the Emir’s vision to link industrial development to Qatar’s history and traditions.
 
The Al-Karaana Petrochemicals Project in Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC) has been making positive progress since entering the front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase earlier this year. It achieved a significant milestone recently when it invited pre-qualified contractors to tender for the delivery of an integrated FEED. The FEED contract is expected to be awarded in early 2013.

The project has also completed the selection of key technologies for its derivatives processes. The largest mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) plant in the world will use Shell’s award-winning OMEGA (Only MEG Advantaged) technology. It would also employ the Shell Higher Olefins Process (SHOP) technology for a world-scale linear alpha olefins plant. The project has selected Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation’s OXO T-Process technology for the OXO derivative unit.
 
HE Dr. Al-Sada said: “I am pleased with the ongoing developments in the Al-Karaana Petrochemicals Project, which will be a significant contribution to Qatar’s growing chemicals industry. This is in accordance with the vision of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, to further diversify the country’s energy industry. Naming the project after one of the oldest towns in Qatar clearly embeds it into the Qatari society from the outset. I look forward to the completion of a quality integrated FEED to be able to reach a final investment decision.”
 
Ben van Beurden said: “I am delighted to see the Al-Karaana Petrochemicals Project making good progress towards FEED. The smooth working relationship is testament to the positive, long-standing partnership we have with Qatar Petroleum. Qatar has the vision to build and grow a globally-competitive chemicals industry and I am proud that Shell could contribute with our technology and project delivery capabilities.”

The chairman of the project’s Executive Committee, Mohammed Nasser Al-Hajri, also QP’s Downstream Ventures Director, said: “QP and Shell are making steady progress in FEED phase and we will continue to work towards delivering a project that we can be proud of.”
 
The proposed world-class Al-Karaana Petrochemicals Project would support Qatar’s strategy to diversify its energy industry and produce cost-competitive products to be marketed worldwide. The scope under consideration includes: A world-scale steam cracker with feedstock from natural gas projects in Qatar; a MEG plant of up to 1.5 million tons per annum; 300 thousand tons per annum of linear alpha olefins; and 250 thousand tons per annum of Oxo unit.

Qatar is well-located for investments in petrochemical derivatives manufacturing facilities due to its world-class infrastructure, proximity to growth markets and its favourable investment environment.