Qatar Petroleum seeks partners to build Ras Laffan petrochemicals complex

The proposed petrochemicals complex will feature an ethane cracker, which will have capacity of more than 1.6 million tons per annum (MTPA) of ethylene.

Upon completion, the ethane cracker is due to become the largest of its kind in the Middle East, and one of the largest in the world, Qatar Petroleum said.

Engineering design for the complex, which will also comprise derivative plants, is planned to commence shortly. The project is scheduled to be commissioned in 2025.

Qatar Petroleum president and CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said: “This development is a first step towards the launch of a new world scale Petrochemicals Complex at Ras Laffan, marking another important milestone for Qatar Petroleum.

“Petrochemicals represent a major pillar of our growth strategy to achieve our vision of becoming one of the best national oil companies in the world.

“This project will complement our efforts to implement our strategy, and will enable Qatar Petroleum to further expand its footprint in the global petrochemicals markets.”

The Petrochemical Complex will use ethane produced primarily from the new North Field LNG expansion project, as feedstock. It will also use ethane from existing gas projects.

​Recently, Qatar Petroleum unveiled its plans to offer 49% of its shares in Qatalum for public offering.

Qatalum, a jointly owned by the Norwegian company Hydro, produces about 645,000 tons per year of high quality aluminum to its customers in Asia, Europe and the US. It operates a carbon plant, port and storage facilities and as well as a gas-fired power plant.

Separately, Qatar Petroleum said it has agreed on a set of Guiding Principles to reduce methane emissions across the natural gas value chain.

Al-Kaabi said: “This is yet another milestone on the road to implementing one of the most ambitious gas projects in the southern sector of the North Field, and starting the first LNG production from the new LNG mega train by the end of 2023.”