2003/4/16 Platts

Qatar to sell 15% in new state-owned holding company

Qatar plans to launch the sale of a 15% stake in a new state-run holding company grouping Qatar's petrochemical, MTBE, fertilizer and steel businesses to Qatari nationals in a public offering next month. In a statement, the Qatari government said Qatar Petroleum would transfer its controlling stakes in the Qatar Fertiliser Co, MTBE and methanol venture QAFAC and Qatar Petrochemical Co to the new Industries of Qatar.

Platts 2002/9/17

Atofina buys out Eni's 10% stake in Qatar's Qapco

France's Atofina said Tuesday it finalized the purchase of Enichem's 10% share in Qatar Petrochemical Company on September 16. The deal raises Atofina's interest in Qapco to 20 %, making it the only remaining partner of the national oil company Qatar Petroleum which owns the other 80%. This deal allows Atofina to consolidate its direct involvement in two major projects to develop its petrochemicals operations in Qatar through the creation of Qatofin, a joint venture held by Atofina (36%), Qapco (63%) and Qatar Petroleum (1%), announced in June 2002. Atofina there raises to 22.2% its interest in the 1.3-mil mt/yr ethane cracker due for start-up in 2007 at Ras Laffan, in the north-east Qatar.

At the same time, Atofina increases to 48.6 % its shareholding in a new 450,000 t/y polyethylene plant which will be built in Mesaieed, in the south-east of Qatar, with start-up scheduled for 2007.

This latest transaction demonstrates Atofina's strategic commitment to expanding its petrochemicals activities in Qatar for the fast-growing markets of South-East Asia, the company said. It also provides the TotalFinaElf Group with the opportunity to consolidate its presence in the country through industrial synergies between its upstream and chemicals branches in the gas sector. QAPCO currently produces 525,mt/yr of ethylene used as feedstock for its 380,000mt/yr polyethylene plants and for those of the Qatar Vinyl Company chlorochemicals complex. Meanwhile, Atofina raises its share from 16,1% to 19.29 % in Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC), the chlorochemicals complex located in the industrial zone of Mesaieed which came on stream in the spring of 2001. This complex is jointly owned by Qatar Petroleum, Qapco, NorskHydro and Atofina.

Platts--23Apr2002　

Qatar's Q-Chem to complete ethylene, PE plants Sep 2002

Qatar's Q-Chem plans to complete building its integrated ethylene and polyethylene complex at Messai'eed by September 2002, a company source said Tuesday. The complex will use ethane feedstock and have the capacity to produce 500,000mt of ethylene and 450,000mt of high density polyethylene yearly. All of the ethylene output would be used internally to produce PE and 60-70,000 mt/yr of hexene. Q-Chem plans to export its PE output in equal parts to Asia and Europe. The sales are to be handled primarily by Chevron Philips.

Q-Chem is a 51:49 joint venture between the Qatar General Petroleum Corp and Chevron Phillips.

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2002/12/25　Chemnet Tokyo

カタールケミが大型エチレンプラントを完成

　大手商社筋によると、カタールケミカル（Q-Chem)はこのほどMesaieed地区に年産50万t能力のエチレンプラントを建設した。エタンを原料に1月中に本格操業を開始すると見られている。
　
　カタールでは、かねてからカプコ（Qapco）が同じ地域で同じくエタンを使って同54万t能力のエチレンプラントを稼働中。したがってQ-chemが同プラントの稼働を始めると同国では年間最大104万tのエチレンが生産されることになる。中東ではサウジアラビアに次ぐ規模となる。
　
　また同社では、エチレンに合わせてL-LDPEとヘキセン-1も同時に工業化する模様。設備能力はL-LDPEが同46万ｔ、ヘキセン-1が同4万7,000tと見られている。このうちのヘキセン-1は、L-LDPEのコモノマーの1つとして世界的に需要が拡大しており、需給がきわめてタイトな状況にある。

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2003/1/21 Qatar Petroleum

Q-Chem Plant Inaugurated by His Highness the Emir

In a ceremony attended by more than 700 guests from the State of Qatar and abroad, His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, inaugurated today the world class Qatar Chemical Company Plant (Q-Chem) in Mesaieed Industrial City.

The multi-billion Qatari Riyals project is a joint venture between QP (51%) and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC (49%). Construction on the project started almost three years ago after His Highness the Heir Apparent Sheikh Jassem Bin Hamad Al Thani laid the Foundation Stone December 21, 1999.

“Another milestone is achieved in this blessed country. The construction and start up of this plant was made possible through the relentless support of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar whose leadership and vision initiated this industrial renaissance we are witnessing here in Qatar,” H.E. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman of Qatar Petroleum, said on this occasion.

The company’s main products will be High Density and Medium Density Polyethylene (HDPE & MDPE) using Chevron Phillips propriety loop slurry technology. The complex will incorporate an Ethylene plant, a two-train Polyethylene plant, and a 1-Hexene plant and associated support facilities. It will have an annual production capacity of approximately 500,000 metric tons per annum (MTPA) of Ethylene, which will be used entirely as feedstock for the production of 453,500 MTPA of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and 47,000 MTPA of 1-Hexene. One of the two Polyethylene trains will be a ‘swing unit’ capable of producing either HDPE or MDPE.

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, QP’s partner in this project, is a major international integrated oil and gas company headquartered in the United States with operations in more than 20 countries. Founded in 1917, CPC is one of the world’s top producers of olefins and polyolefins and is a leading supplier of aromatics, alpha olefins, styrenics and specialty chemicals.

As is the case with all QP’s projects, the Q-Chem complex meets all environmental standards set by the Environmental Department of the Ministry of Municipality & Agricultural Affairs and Q-Chem’s ‘Tenets of Operation’, including water treatment, solid waste, air emissions, noise, spill prevention and control as well as timely monitoring of plant performance.

2002/6/13 Qatar Petroleum　　

Qatar Petroleum Signs Three Agreements for Petrochemical Projects

Qatar Petroleum, QAPCO, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC and Atofina SA signed this morning three comprehensive joint venture agreements for the establishment of world scale petrochemical projects

The Agreements were signed by H.E. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman of Qatar Petroleum, and representatives of the other partners. The signing ceremony, held this morning in Doha Ritz Carlton Hotel, was attended by senior executives of Qatar Petroleum, the concerned companies, and representatives of the local press.

The final definition of the petrochemical projects shows three independent projects with distinct ownerships. The first project, to be known as Q-Chem II includes QP (51%) and Chevron Phillips Chemical (49%) as shareholders. Q-Chem II will have new HDPE and Normal Alpha Olefins plants in Mesaieed adjacent to present Q-Chem plant. The second project will be known as Qatofin with a shareholding profile showing QAPCO (63 %), Atofina (36 %) and QP (1 %). Qatofin will establish a world scale LLDPE plant in Mesaieed, adjacent to QAPCO facilities.

A third Project established between QP, Q-Chem II and Qatofin will include an ethane cracker and a 120 km. pipeline to transport the ethylene produced by the cracker project. The shareholding profile in this project is Q-Chem II (53.31%), Qatofin (45.69 %) and QP (1.00 %).

The ethane cracker will be one of the largest in the world and will be located in Ras Laffan Industrial City with a capacity of 1.3 MM MTA of ethylene, while the derivative plants will be located in Mesaieed within existing facilities of Q-Chem and QAPCO. The new Q-Chem II Normal Alpha Olefins and High Density Polyethylene plants will have a production capacity of 350,000 metric tons per year each. The new Qatofin LLDPE plant at QAPCO will produce 450,000 metric tons per annum of polyethylene

The ethane feedstock to the cracker will be supplied from the nearby EGU and Dolphin projects on-shore facilities. A new ethylene pipeline from Ras Laffan to Mesaieed will supply ethylene to the Normal Alpha Olefins, and Polyethylene plants to be owned by Q-Chem II and to the new Linear Low Density Polyethylene plant facility owned by Qatofin. The ethylene pipeline will be initially designed to transport 1,300,0000 metric tons of ethylene per annum, with a possibility for expansion to 1,600,000 metric tons per annum. All three complexes are scheduled to commence operations around mid 2007.

Originally, a JVA was signed with Chevron Phillips Chemical in June 2001 for a cracker and ethylene derivatives plants to be located in Ras Laffan Industrial City. In a later decision by QP, Atofina and QAPCO were invited as a participants in the cracker project and an MOU was signed with the TotalFinaElf affiliate in October 2001. The scope of the project has changed dramatically during the last six months. Decisions had been made to place the ethylene derivative plants in Mesaieed where significant investment savings are to be realized from synergies with existing petrochemical facilities and infrastructure, which would contribute to reduction in investment and operation costs. . The cracker will remain in Ras Laffan where it is expected to provide additional ethylene to future new derivative plants after debottlenecking.

All partners underscore the importance of this large project for their respective organizations. For QP the project represents a unique opportunity to enhance and diversify its petrochemical industrial base by adding value to its North Field gas while providing greater prospects for jobs and development of the local population. The project is well aligned with Chevron Phillips Chemical’s strategic business plans of building world-scale facilities with access to advantaged feedstocks and growing markets for their petrochemical portfolio. Atofina emphasizes that the project fully complements their European and other global operation businesses by investing in fully integrated world-scale facilities that bring enhanced value to their shareholders. Atofina is currently a shareholder in QAPCO and the new project allows for the further expansion of a long-standing petrochemical involvement in Qatar.

It is noteworthy that the grades of polyethylene to be produced by Q-Chem II and Qatofin’s new plants are to be complementary to each other. The Q-Chem II polyethylene reactors will utilize Chevron Phillips Chemical technology (loop reactor slurry phase). The new Normal Alpha Olefins plant will utilize Chevron Phillips Chemicals technology while the Qatofin LLDPE reactor will be provided with Unipol gas phase technology from Univation.

His Excellency, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of QP stated, “We are very pleased to expand upon our relationship with Chevron Phillips Chemical and Atofina. This further supports our country’s commitment to growing and developing our hydrocarbon resources.”

Mr. Jim Gallogly, President and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical said, “As a long-term strategic partner with the State of Qatar, we are proud to be part of the development of this world-class petrochemical business. Along our existing project, these latest agreements will help build a solid foundation for future success.”

“The signature of the joint venture agreements represents a significant achievement by Atofina in its efforts to continue enhancing business participation in the State of Qatar’s petrochemical sector development. The Ras Laffan ethane cracker will indeed offer an outlet for the gas produced by TotalFinaElf in the Dolphin field and will boost the business relationship between France and Qatar”, declared Mr. Jean-Bernard Lartigue, Vice-President of Atofina SA.

　

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(2001/6/25 発表） ＝最初の計画　

Chevron Phillips Chemical and Qatar Petroleum Announce Construction of Petroleum Plant in Qatar

HOUSTON  (June 25, 2001) - Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC and Qatar Petroleum of Qatar have signed a joint venture agreement for the development of a world-scale petrochemical company in the State of Qatar, officials of both companies said today.

The petrochemical plant will be built in Ras Laffan, Qatar, and is scheduled for completion in 2006. The project involves the development of an ethylene cracker with the capacity to produce up to 1.2 million metric tons per year, a polyethylene plant capable of producing more than 750,000 metric tons per year, associated utilities and offsite facilities.

Ethane feedstock for the project will be sourced from Qatar's North Field, the world's largest non-associated gas field. The polyethylene technology will utilize Chevron Phillips Chemical Company's proprietary loop process technology.

This venture marks the second cooperation undertaken by the two companies in the State of Qatar. Qatar Chemical Company LTD (Q-Chem), joints venture between Qatar Petroleum and Chevron Phillips Chemical, is currently constructing a 500,000-metric-ton-per-year ethylene plant, a 450,000-metric-ton-per-year polyethylene plant and a 47,000-metric-ton-per-year hexene-1 plant in Messaieed, Qatar. This plant is on schedule for a third quarter 2002 start-up.

According to His Excellency, Abdulla Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Minister of Industry and Energy and Chairman of QP, "This new petrochemical project highlights the areas of interest and the major objectives Qatar is looking forward to achieving in the 21st century. It will be an era of globalization, partnership and total quality in project management and execution.

"This project represents part of the clear and ambitious vision of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, that aims to ensure the optimal utilization of the country's hydrocarbon resources.

"This will be done by setting up oil- and gas-related projects and, eventually, diversifying sources of national income and creating development opportunities to the welfare and prosperity of our nation."

Jim Gallogly, President and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical, said, "We are proud to be a long-term strategic partner with the State of Qatar in developing a world-class petrochemical business together with QP.

"Our existing petrochemical project, Q-Chem, has won international praise for project management and finance, and is an excellent example of the strength of QP and Chevron Phillips Chemical in working together. This new project represents the next step in providing a solid foundation on which we can build future success benefiting both the State of Qatar and Chevron Phillips Chemical."

Qatar General Petroleum Corporation, now known as Qatar Petroleum, was established in 1974 as a national corporation completely owned by the State of Qatar.

Qatar Petroleum is responsible for all oil and gas industry processes in Qatar and abroad. This includes the exploration and drilling for oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbon substances, the production, refining, transport and storage of the these substances and any of their derivatives and by-products. It also is responsible for the trading, distribution, sale and export of these products.

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC is one of the world's top producers of olefins and polyolefins and a leading supplier of aromatics, alpha olefins, styrenics and specialty chemicals. The Company, equally owned by Chevron Corporation and Phillips Petroleum Company, is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

QAPCO　　(homepageより）

Established in 1974, QAPCO is a unique and pioneering petrochemical venture
In line with the industrialization plan of the State of Qatar, QAPCO is a joint venture project initiated by Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC) to utilize the ethane gas associated with petroleum production.

Established in 1974, with production beginning in 1980, QAPCO is a unique pioneering petrochemical venture in the Gulf Region, and the Middle East.

QAPCO is a multi-national joint venture between Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC) holding 80% , Elf Atochem of France (10%), and Enichem of Italy (10%) of the shares.

Producing Ethylene, low density Polyethylene (LDPE) and solid Sulphur, QAPCO’s Ethane feedstock requirement is met by QGPC. The company markets its products worldwide, with a substantial increase in the annual projected turnover, with the completion of planned expansion projects.

Ethylene Plant

Ethylene annual production capacity is 525,000 MT.

The expansion project being completed in 1996. The Ethylene annual production increased to 245,000 MT.

Polyethylene Plant

In 1997, LDPE plants operated without major defects. As production costs and quantity of raw materials, the production increased by 28,000 mt.

QAPCO today is the largest producer of LDPE in the Middle East with annual capacity of 360,000 metric tons (MT).

Production comes from two lines with annual capacity of 180,000 MT each using tubular and vessel reactor technology. Applications for LDPE include films, injection moulding, blow moulding, pipes, cables, coating, roto moulding and other different applications.

Sulphur

Annual capacity of pure prilled sulphur is 70,000 MT.

Chemical Week Mar 13, 2002

Qapco Plans Ethylene Capacity Hike at Mesaieed

Qatar Petrochemical Co (Qapco; Mesaieed, Qatar), a joint venture of Qatar Petroleum, Atofina, and EniChem, says it plans to hike ethylene capacity at Mesaieed from 525,000 m.t./year, to 720,000 m.t./year. The company is preparing to issue invitations to bid for the project. Sources say Technip-Coflexip, Linde, and ABB Lummus Global will be the likely bidders. Qapco plans to add 50,000 m.t./year of low density polyethylene (LDPE) capacity as part of the expansion plan that will raise the total to 250,000 m.t./year of LDPE by late 2004. Qapco will also be a jv partner with Atofina in a new PE project planned in Qatar.

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FujiSankei Business i. 2004/3/30 　　　　　　　　　　発表

日揮がエチレン設備を受注、カタール社から200億円で
http://www.business-i.jp/news/car/art-20040329215613-EOUNGRUDNK.nwc

　日揮は29日、カタールの石油化学大手、カタールペトロケミカルカンパニーからエチレン設備増設プロジェクトを受注したと発表した。受注金額は約200億円で、納期は2006年後半を予定している。

　受注したのは、カタールのメサイード地区にある年産52万5000トンの既設プラントのエチレン生産能力を同72万トンに引き上げる設備増強プロジェクト。日揮は設計、機材調達、建設工事を一括請け負う。

　日揮は、世界有数のエチレンプロセス技術をもつ米ストーンアンドウェブスターと提携関係にあり、日揮のこれまでの中東での実績とストーン社がもつプロセスの優位性が高く評価された。日揮がカタールのプロジェクトを受注するのは今年2件目。

　カタールペトロケミカルは、現地国営石油会社のカタールペトロリアムと仏トタールの子会社、アトフィナの合弁会社。

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2004/03/30 日揮

カタールのエチレン増設プロジェクトを受注
　http://www.jgc.co.jp/jp/01newsinfo/2004/release/20040330.html

　日揮株式会社(代表取締役会長兼CEO 重久吉弘、横浜本社 横浜市西区みなとみらい2-3-1)は、カタールペトロケミカルカンパニー社からエチレン増設プロジェクトを受注しましたのでお知らせします。詳細は、下記の通りです。

1. 顧客名 ： カタールペトロケミカルカンパニー社(QAPCO)
　　　　　　　　　　カタールペトロリアム社　80%
　　　　　　　　　　アトフィナ社　　　　　　　　20%
　　　　　　　　　　　(仏トタール社の子会社)
2. 建設地 ： カタール・メサイード地区
3. 契約内容 ： 既設のエチレンプラント増設のための設計、機材調達、建設工事
4. 契約形式 ： ランプサム契約
5. 契約金額 ： 約200億円
6. 納期 ： 2006年後半
7. プロジェクトの概要 ：

　 QAPCOは湾岸諸国でも早くから石化プラントの建設に取り組み、1980年にカタール・メサイード地区に初のエチレンプラント(年産28万トン)を建設しました。その後、1994年にプラントの能力を増強し、現在は年産52.5万トンに至っています。

　今回のプロジェクトは、操業効率の改善および生産量の増加を目的として既設プラントの生産能力を年産72万トンにスケールアップするもので、当該プラントから主製品として生産されるエチレンは、下流のポリエチレン、塩化ビニールプラントの原料となるほか、輸出用として計画されています。また、エチレンプラントから生産される副製品は、メサイード工業団地内の他のプラント・工場の原料として使用される予定です。

　カタールでは、去る１月に受注した大型ガス処理プラントに引続き、本年2件目のプラント受注となります。本プロジェクトの受注は、当社がこれまで築いた中東におけるプラント建設実績と永年に亘り培った高いプロジェクト遂行能力および米国ストーンアンドウェブスター社のプロセスの優位性が高く評価された結果と考えています。

　中東地域では、今後もガスを原料とした多くのエチレンプラントが計画されていますので、当社はアライアンス・パートナーであるスト−ンアンドウェブスター社と協力して、これらプラントの受注に最善を尽くしていく所存です。

QATAR VINYL　

MESAIEED (QATAR VINYL) INTEGRATED PETROCHEMICAL PLANT, QATAR

An integrated petrochemical plant will be built in Mesaieed, about 48km south of Doha in Qatar on the Persian Gulf. It is sited next to the QAPCO petrochemical complex so as to receive ethylene from that plant, as well as utilising economies of scale. The site will also allow the new plant to use an existing QAPCO jetty.

INTEGRATED PETROCHEMICALS PLANT
The project was initiated in December 1998, and is due to come into production in March 2001. The stages are numerous. The agreement of the financing, the signing of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract, and the commencement of construction all began in December 1998. Commissioning will begin in September 2000. The plant will be integrated with the QAPCO plant in October 2000. The commissioning will be finished in the second quarter of 2001, and the project will be completed in the last quarter of 2001.

The EPC contract, which is estimated to be worth $340 million, was awarded to Krupp Uhde and Technip Italia Spa. Their contract is estimated to be worth about $430 million. In a contract worth $8 million, part of the construction will be carried out for Krupp by Contrack International. Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) is a second major subcontractor.

PRODUCTION BREAKDOWN

Power for the whole process is supplied by a 110MW unit, which is already part of the QAPCO plant. Salt is imported from outside the plant to feed the chlorine unit. This is broken down into chlorine (260,000t/yr capacity), caustic soda (295,000t/yr capacity) and hydrogen. The hydrogen is used as a fuel gas. The chlorine is fed into the ethylene dichloride (EDC) unit, along with ethlyene from the QAPCO plant (capacity of 106,000t/yr). The EDC unit produces 175,000t/yr for sales, as well as 193,000t/yr of EDC for the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) unit. This EDC is fed in with 52,000t/yr of ethylene (again from the QAPCO facility) as well as 5,000t/yr of caustic soda. This produces 230,000t/yr of VCM for sale. The remaining 290,000t/yr of caustic soda is sold.

Initially, the salt will be supplied from abroad. However the Qatari government already issued a permit to erect a new solar salt facility within the country, and the Mesaieed plant is expected be its main customer. Other products are also expected to allow the local economy to benefit from the plant's presence through a multiplier effect.

Thus, the volume split of the plant's production is 33% VCM, 25% EDC and 42% caustic soda. QVC expects this to split down in revenue terms as 50% VCM, 23% EDC and 27% caustic soda.

PROJECT PROFITABILITY

The QVC project stood under threat from an early stage because of the viability questions raised by low oil prices. The main advantage to petrochemicals plants in the Middle East is easy access to cheap feedstock. This compensates for the higher transport costs to Asia and Europe. The project was threatened since producers all over the world benefited from low oil prices, whilst Middle East producers still had high transport costs.

The project is underpinned by a $475 million loan from a number of banks. The lead bank was the French Paribas, which has long experience of Qatari business. Underwriters are Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) and Arab Petroleum Investment Corp (Apricorp).

The main target markets for QVC are South East Asia, Korea, China, India and Australia. Because of the Asian crisis these areas will see relatively little new capacity. The marketing agents will be Elf Atochem, Norsk Hydro and QAPCO. QAPCO's involvement should help guarantee feedstock for the plant at reasonable prices.

The overarching aim of the project, along with the numerous other Qatari hydrocarbon and related schemes currently underway, is to move Qatari industry to the more value-added part of the petrochemical spectrum. This makes it less vulnerable to overcapacity and price falls.

THE QATAR VINYL COMPANY
The Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC) was formed in 1997 to create the project. It is a subsidiary of four companies. The Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) is the biggest shareholder, with 31.9%. Norsk Hydro is next with a 29.7% share. Elf Atochem has 12.9%. Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC) has 25.5%. QGPC is 80% owned by QAPCO, with 10% owned by Elf Atochem and Enichem respectively.

June 24, 2004 ExxonMobil

Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil Chemical Sign Statement of Intent for Ethane Cracker, Derivatives Complex
http://www2.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/Newsroom/NewsReleases/xom_nr_240604.asp

Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil Chemical Company, a division of Exxon Mobil Corporation, announced today that they have signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to conduct a feasibility study for a world-scale, ethane-based cracker and ethylene derivatives complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. The SOI was signed by H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar's second deputy premier, minister of energy and industry and chairman of Qatar Petroleum, and by Mr. Daniel S. Sanders, president, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

The Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil joint study will define the technical and commercial aspects of a world-class petrochemical growth platform in Qatar. The complex will utilize ethane feedstock from new gas development projects in Qatar's North Field and supply competitively advantaged products to Asia and Europe.

"The signing of today's agreement supports Qatar's diversification plan and demonstrates further the government's continued implementation of its strategy to integrate upstream and downstream development and to expand its industrial base," said H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah. "Our success to date has mainly resulted from the vision and wise leadership of HH the Emir of Qatar and the continued dedication and commitment from Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil."

"ExxonMobil is pleased to play a significant role in supporting Qatar's diversification strategy," said Mr. Sanders. "We believe the proposed project will serve as a platform for future growth to assist the State of Qatar in its goal of becoming a leader among petrochemical producers in the region. We look forward to working with Qatar Petroleum to develop plans for a world-class petrochemical project at Ras Laffan, building on our unique capabilities and successful upstream partnership."

Exxon Mobil Corporation, through its subsidiaries, has had a presence in Qatar since 1935. Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil are currently working together to diversify the use of the North Field gas into new areas in addition to LNG, including the supply of pipeline gas to domestic and regional customers, Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) and other projects.

ExxonMobil Chemical (www.exxonmobilchemical.com) is a global leader in technology, product quality and customer service with petrochemical manufacturing and/or marketing operations in more than 150 countries around the world. Its products include olefins, aromatics, fluids, synthetic rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene packaging films, plasticizers, synthetic lubricant basestocks and additives for fuels and lubricants.

2004/7/14 ExxonMobil

State Of Qatar and ExxonMobil Announce Signing of Gas-To-Liquids Heads of Agreement
http://www2.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/Newsroom/NewsReleases/xom_nr_140704.asp

The Government of the State of Qatar and an Exxon Mobil Corporation subsidiary, ExxonMobil Qatar GTL Limited, announced today that the parties have entered into a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for an approximately $7 billion, Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) project, which would be the world's largest single, fully integrated GTL project. The facility would be built at the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar. The agreement was signed by H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry for the State of Qatar, and Harry J. Longwell, Director and Executive Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation.

The HOA specifies the principal terms for the project that will be defined in a Development and Production Sharing Agreement (DPSA). The term of the DPSA will be 25 years from the start of production, which is expected to commence in 2011. ExxonMobil's investment contribution will be 100 percent of the projected capital cost.

H.E Deputy Premier Al Attiyah said, "This project represents another important step under the ambitious vision of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, that aims to ensure the optimal utilization of the country's hydrocarbon resources by diversifying sources of national income while creating development opportunities for the welfare and prosperity of Qatar."

"We have enjoyed numerous prior successes in commercializing our substantial gas resources with our valued partner, ExxonMobil, and look forward to developing this world-class GTL project as we aggressively pursue Qatar's vision to be the world leader for GTL development," H.E. Al-Attiyah said.

"As the leading foreign investor in Qatar, we are very pleased to partner with Qatar Petroleum on this important GTL project, which has been under consideration by Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil for some time. The project will build upon this strategic partnership that has led to a number of successful LNG and pipeline initiatives. We believe our proprietary technologies and project management expertise will bring competitive advantage to this project for the benefit of both parties," said Mr. Longwell.

ExxonMobil will design, construct and perform all petroleum operations in connection with the GTL project. This includes the rights to develop and produce gas, associated liquids and other hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities to meet the 154,000 barrels per day capacity of the GTL plant. Approximately half of the plant's production will be for sulfur-free diesel (less than 10-15 ppm), about 20 percent will be in high-quality lube base stocks, with the remainder in naphtha and other associated products.

ExxonMobil will drill an appraisal well for the GTL project this year, and will supplement the extensive preliminary front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) undertaken earlier. FEED is expected to begin upon execution of the DPSA.

The plant will adopt ExxonMobil's patented AGC-21 GTL technology, which is a proprietary, highly effective, three-step process for converting natural gas to high-quality transportation fuel, lubricants basestocks and petrochemical feedstocks. ExxonMobil has invested more than $600 million in GTL research during the past two decades, and holds in excess of 3,500 U.S. and international patents or patents pending relating to this technology.

For more information about ExxonMobil, please visit the company's website at: http://www.exxonmobil.com.

For additional information on GTL, including background on ExxonMobil's patented AGC-21 GTL technology, please click on the website link below: http://www2.exxonmobil.com/corporate/Campaign/Campaign_energydemand_GTL.asp.

Platts 2005/5/16

Qatar, ExxonMobil sign MOU for 1.6-mil mt/yr ethylene cracker 　　　→　1.3-mil mt/yr ethylene cracker

Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil have signed a memorandum of understanding in New York for the construction of a 1.6-mil mt/yr of ethylene cracker at Ras Laffan in Qatar, Qatari officials said Monday.

The agreement to build the biggest ethane-based cracker of its kind in the world, is worth $2-bil, officials said. This MOU was the result of the
feasibility study, which both companies inked on Jun 24 last year, to take advantage of Qatar's natural gas reserves. When completed, the complex would utilize ethane feedstock from new gas development projects in Qatar's North Field, ExxonMobil said in its previous statement. Qatar sits on the world's third biggest natural gas reserves after Russia and Iran.

2006/10/15 ExxonMobil

Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil Chemical Sign Heads of Agreement for Petrochemical Complex

Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil Chemical Qatar Limited, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), today announced they have signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA　基本合意書) to progress studies for a proposed $3 billion world-scale petrochemical complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. The announcement was made by His Excellency, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, and by Michael J. Dolan, President, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, at a signing ceremony today in Doha.

“The State of Qatar has embarked on ambitious programs to utilize and develop its hydrocarbon resources. These programs are part of the vision of HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir, that aims to ensure efficient utilization and optimization of the country’s resources via oil and gas developments and, through diversifying its sources of income creating development opportunities for Qatar and its people,” H.E. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman of Qatar Petroleum, said on this occasion.

"ExxonMobil Chemical is pleased with the significant progress we have made together with Qatar Petroleum on the feasibility study for this important project," added Dolan. "We believe this proposed project will capitalize on our core competencies, to bring significant benefits to both parties and establish a competitively advantaged platform for growth."

The proposed petrochemical complex includes a world-scale, 1.3 MTA steam cracker and associated derivative units, including polyethylene and ethylene glycol, and will employ ExxonMobil's proprietary steam cracking furnace and polyethylene technologies. It will utilize feedstock from gas development projects in Qatar's North Field and serve markets with premium products in both Asia and Europe. Currently, start-up of the proposed facility is estimated in 2012.

Qatar Petroleum
Qatar Petroleum (QP), www.qp.com.qa, formerly Qatar General Petroleum Corporation, is a state-owned corporation established, by Emiri Decree No 10, in 1974 responsible for all phases of the oil and gas industry in Qatar. The principal activities of Qatar Petroleum and its subsidiaries and joint ventures cover exploration, drilling and production operations, transport, storage, marketing and sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, refined products, petrochemicals and fertilizers, and providing helicopter services.

Qatar Petroleum’s strategy of conducting hydrocarbon exploration and new projects is through Exploration and Production Sharing Agreements (EPSA) and Development and Production Sharing Agreements (DPSA) concluded with major international oil and gas companies.

ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation, through its subsidiaries, has had a presence in Qatar since 1935. Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil are currently working together to diversify the use of North Field gas including the expansion of facilities to deliver liquefied natural gas resources to targeted markets, the supply of pipeline gas to domestic customers and conversion of gas to high quality liquid products for export to world markets.

ExxonMobil Chemical (www.exxonmobilchemical.com) is a global leader in technology, product quality and customer service with petrochemical manufacturing and/or marketing operations in more than 150 countries around the world. Its products include olefins, aromatics, fluids, synthetic rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene packaging films, plasticizers, synthetic lubricant basestocks and additives for fuels and lubricants.

NOTE: Estimates, expectations, and business plans in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including project plans, could differ materially depending on the outcome of commercial negotiations, changes in supply and demand for petrochemical products, changes in law or government policy, and other factors discussed under the caption "Factors Affecting Future Results" in item 1 of ExxonMobil's most recent 10-K and available on our website at www.exxonmobil.com.

2004/7/6 千代田化工建設

カタールより液化天然ガスプラントを受注
http://www.chiyoda-corp.com/cgi-bin/chiyoda/frame.cgi?/news/0407/news0407-1.shtml

　千代田化工建設（本社：横浜市、社長：関　誠夫）はスナムプロジェッティ社（イタリア、ミラノ市）と共同でカタール国ラスラファン液化天然ガス社（略称ラスガス�U）向けLNGプラント増設プロジェクト（第５系列及LNG関連設備）の設計・調達・建設（EPC）を一括受注しました。
　今回増設される第５系列は、当社とスナムプロジェッティ社が共同でラスラファンに2003年12月に成功裏に完工した第３系列及び建設中の第４系列に隣接して建設するものです。

　本プロジェクトはカタールが有するガス田「ノースフィールド」（推定埋蔵量900兆立方フィート）からの豊富なガスを利用し、LNG生産量としては１系列として世界最大規模の年産４７０万トンです。　本プロジェクトは２００６年末の完成を予定しており、生産されるLNGは、２００７年第１四半期より出荷が予定されています。

　本プロジェクトは、千代田が遂行したFEED（基本設計）業務に引き続き、随契で受注が決定されたもので、昨年末にした完成した第３系列プロジェクトで千代田グループの高い遂行能力、及び他のカタールプロジェクトでの千代田の数々の成功実績が評価されたものと言えます。

　カタール向けガス関連プラントとして千代田化工建設は、1998年完成のカタール液化天然ガス社（カタールガス）向け第１〜３系列、2001年に受注した同プラント増強工事、ラスガス社向け第３/４系列、湾岸ガス開発プロジェクトに続いて、今回第5系列を受注したもので、中東地域におけるLNGプラント商談において圧倒的な強さを示しています。

　天然ガスはクリーンエネルギーとして環太平洋地域ばかりでなく、欧州、北米市場にて引き続き堅調な需要の伸びが期待されています。　当社はLNGプラント、受入基地において豊富な実績を国内外に有しており、今後もガスバリューチェーン案件の増加が見込まれる中東、ロシア及び東南アジアを含む世界各地のガス関連プロジェクトを視野に入れ、積極的な受注活動を展開してまいります。

2005年9月23日 千代田化工

ラスガス（３）社（カタール国）より 超大型LNG（液化天然ガス）プラントを受注
　米国向け年産780万トンを2系列 − 契約金額は4,500億円規模
　http://www.chiyoda-corp.com/cgi-bin/chiyoda/frame.cgi?/info/press-j.shtml

　千代田化工建設（本社：横浜市　社長：関誠夫)は、ラスラファン液化天然ガス(３)社（略称：ラスガス(３)、出資：カタール・ペトロリウム70% ・エクソンモービル30%）よりカタール国における超大型LNGプラント増設プロジェクトの設計・調達・建設(EPC)業務を受注しました｡この契約は当社がリーダーとなり、テクニップ社（フランス、パリ）と共同で受注したものです。
　本プロジェクトは当社がすでに基本設計業務（FEED）を実施したもので、同じく当社が隣接敷地内にて建設中のカタールガス（�U）プロジェクトと同じ規模の世界最大の年産780万トンのプラントを２系列（ラスガス第6および第７系列）建設するものです。第6系列は2008年後半、第7系列はその約1年後の完成を予定しています。契約額は、4,500億円規模です。

　年産780万トンのＬＮＧプラントを2系列建設する本プロジェクトは、すでに建設中のカタールガス(�U)社の同規模のプラント(カタールガス第4および第5系列)とともに、カタール政府が計画している｢2010年までに7,700万トンのLNGを生産し世界一のLNG輸出国になる｣という目標への大きな前進となります。
当社は、ＬＮＧプラントの大型化で常に先駆的役割を果たし成功してきた実績と､大型化に伴う諸問題に対応する能力、これらに基づいた信頼性の高い遂行能力により、一連の超大型プロジェクトを成功裏に完成させることによって、カタール国のさ らなる発展に貢献していきます。

　本ラスガス（３）プロジェクトは既設プラントとのシナジー効果に基づいて実施されるものです。 本プロジェクトは史上最大の米国向けLNGプロジェクトとなり、これにより、カタール･ペトロリウムとエクソンモービルは、米国向けLNG供給の先導的役割を果たすこととなります。 本プロジェクトにより､今後２５年間以上にわたり米国向けにLNGが供給される予定です。

　本プロジェクトは、カタール国ラスラファン工業地帯にラスガス社向けに当社が既に建設した第3系列、第4系列、および現在建設中の第5系列と同じ敷地内に建設予定です。

　クリーンエネルギーとしてのＬＮＧ需要は、米国を始め、環太平洋諸国やヨーロッパ市場でも堅調に増加しています。 当社は受入基地およびＬＮＧプラント分野で多数の実績を重ねて来ており、今後も中東、西アフリカ、ロシア、東南アジアなど将来多数のガスヴァリューチェーンのプロジェクトが期待される地域で、世界規模で各種サービスを提供していきます。

2005年12月21日 千代田化工

カタールガス３＆４社（カタール国）より超大型LNG（液化天然ガス）プラント受注
千代田―仏テクニップ社ジョイントベンチャーの契約金額は5,000億円規模
http://www.chiyoda-corp.com/cgi-bin/chiyoda/frame.cgi?/news/0512/news0512-1.shtml

千代田化工建設（本社：横浜市　社長：関誠夫)は、カタールガス3社（出資：カタール・ペトロリウム68.5% /コノコフィリップス30%、三井物産1.5％）及びカタールガス4社（出資：カタール・ペトロリウム70% /シェル30%）の両社よりカタール国における超大型LNGプラント増設プロジェクトの設計・調達・建設(EPC)業務を受注しました｡　この契約は当社がリーダーとなり、テクニップ社（フランス、パリ）と共同で受注したものです。本プロジェクトは当社がすでに基本設計業務（FEED）を実施したものです。契約額は、5,000億円規模です。

本プロジェクトは、カタール国ラスラファン工業地帯において当社が既に建設したカタールガス第1〜3系列、および当社とテクニップ社JV（CTJV）が隣接敷地内にて建設中のカタールガス�Uプロジェクトと同じ規模の世界最大の年産780万トンのプラントを２系列（第6および第7系列）建設するものです。第 6系列からは2009年に北米へ、第7系列からは2010年後半に北米へLNGが供給される予定です。

今回のカタールガス3社及び4社との商談では、これまでの当社のカタールガス第1〜3系列、ラスガスII第3〜4系列における完成工事の実績、現在遂行中のラスガスII第5に加え最近の当社とテクニップ社によるカタールガス向けLNG増産プロジェクトの完成、カタールガス�U、ラスガス（３）での受注から、当社JVの高い技術的信頼性が客先から評価され受注となりました。今回の受注により、2004年12月のカタールガス�U以降、当社とテクニップ社が受注したこれら６系列が全て完成すると、カタールが世界一のLNG輸出国になる目標への加速的な前進と言えます。

クリーンエネルギーとしてのＬＮＧ需要は、米国を始め、環太平洋諸国やヨーロッパ市場でも堅調に増加しています。当社は受入基地およびＬＮＧプラント分野で多数の実績を重ねて来ており、今後も中東、西アフリカ、ロシア、東南アジアなど将来多数のガスヴァリューチェーンのプロジェクトが期待される地域で、世界規模で各種サービスを提供していきます。

2006/2/28　Shell

Qatar Petroleum and Shell sign a Letter of Intent for the Development of a World-Scale Petrochemical Complex
http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=qatar&FC2=/qatar/html/iwgen/news_and_library/press_releases/2005/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/qatar/html/iwgen/news_and_library/press_releases/2005/letter_intent_010305.html

Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Shell Chemicals Limited (Shell) today signed in Doha a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the development of a world-scale ethane based cracker and derivatives complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Qatar Petroleum by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar and Linda Cook, Executive Director Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies during the 5th Doha Conference on Natural Gas. Also present at the signing were a number of senior executives of Qatar Petroleum and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.

H.E. Al-Attiyah commented, “the signing of the LOI marks an important milestone for Qatar in its efforts to diversify its economic base and further monetise its considerable hydrocarbon resources. This is the realisation of the directives of His Highness, the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani who has a vision to place Qatar among the leading petrochemical producers in the world. The project clearly provides Qatar with another viable alternative to optimise the use of the country’s natural gas resources.”

H.E. Al-Attiyah also stated: “We are pleased to have Shell, one of the leaders in this field, enter the petrochemical industry in Qatar, and to witness our relationship take another important step forward. This project represents an alignment of interests and objectives between the two parties and we are confident in its success.”

Through this agreement, QP and Shell will define the technical and commercial aspects of the petrochemical complex and determine the derivatives scope. The complex will produce cost competitive petrochemicals products to be marketed into primarily Asian growth markets, with a start-up date early in the next decade. This project strengthens Shell’s commitment to building a strong partnership with Qatar to deliver large-scale projects.

Linda Cook commented, “Shell is very pleased to partner with QP on the development of this world-scale ethane cracker project. The signing of this LOI is indeed an important milestone and marks the further development of the strong partnership between QP and Shell, building on the Pearl GTL project and the recently announced QatarGas 4 project. This project clearly combines the strengths of both QP and Shell in the petrochemical industry and represents the basis for delivering long-term value to both Qatar and Shell.”

2005/2/27 Shell

Qatar Petroleum and Shell sign a Heads of Agreement for the development of Qatargas 4 - a large-scale LNG project
http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=qatar&FC2=/qatar/html/iwgen/news_and_library/press_releases/2005/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/qatar/html/iwgen/news_and_library/press_releases/2005/lng_press_releasse_270205.html27/02/2005

Qatar Petroleum (QP) and The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (Shell) signed today in Doha a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for the development of a large-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project located in Ras Laffan City, Qatar. The project is called Qatargas 4.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Qatar Petroleum by His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar and by Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive of The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies. Also present at the signing were Faisal Bin Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qatargas, and Linda Cook, Executive Director Gas & Power, The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.

The Qatargas 4 project comprises the integrated development of upstream gas production facilities to produce 1.4 bcf/d of gas and substantial quantities of associated liquids from Qatar's North Field, a single LNG train yielding approximately 7.8 million tons per annum of LNG for a period of 25 years, and shipping of the LNG to the intended markets in North America and Europe. Qatargas 4 is a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Shell with a 70% and 30% equity interest respectively. LNG deliveries are expected to commence around 2010-2012.

“Qatar’s goal to be the world’s leader in LNG production is further secured through the development of large-scale projects such as this,” said H.E. Al Attiyah. “We are very pleased to see Shell enter the LNG industry in Qatar and further contribute to the diversification of LNG markets, and we look forward to the successful delivery of this project,” H.E. Al Attiyah added.

Jeroen van der Veer said: “This signing of the Qatargas 4 HoA today further demonstrates the strong partnership that Shell is building with Qatar to deliver ambitious projects such as this and the Pearl GTL project which is progressing well. These projects are fully aligned with Shell’s strategy of ‘more upstream and profitable downstream’ through the development of integrated natural gas projects. The Qatargas 4 project will combine Shell’s global leadership in LNG with Qatar’s vision to become the world’s largest LNG supplier. Upon completion, Qatargas 4 will broaden Shell’s LNG supply portfolio to include projects in seven countries, and will provide additional supplies for the growing LNG markets in North America and Europe.”

2003/9/14　Qatar Petroleum

Qatar Petroleum and PetroWorld of South Africa Sign Heads of Agreement for Methanol Plant in Qatar

Qatar Petroleum and PetroWorld Ltd. of South Africa signed, today, a Heads of Agreement for the development of a Large Scale Fuel Grade Methanol Project. The signing ceremony, held at Qatar Petroleum’s Headquarters in Doha, was attended by senior officials from Qatar Petroleum and the South African company. The targeted output of the Ras Laffan-based project to be will be 12,000 to 15,000 tons of methanol per day.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman of Qatar Petroleum on behalf of Qatar Petroleum and Her Excellency, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister of Minerals and Energy of South Africa, representing the South African company. In this project, the State of Qatar will be represented by Qatar Petroleum (51%) and the South African Government will be represented by PetroWorld Limited (49%).

Qatar Petroleum (QP), a state-owned corporation, is responsible for all phases of the oil and gas industry in Qatar while PetroWorld Ltd. is a joint venture owned by Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (50%) and TransWorld Group of Companies (50%).

This Large Scale Fuel Grade Methanol Project will use natural gas from Qatar’s North Field to produce primarily fuel grade methanol as a clean fuel for electric power generation plants in areas where pipeline gas or LNG are not economically viable and further use of distillates and HFO is more costly or environmentally unacceptable.

“The project is an economically viable and technologically feasible option that allows Qatar Petroleum to diversify from its other existing options (LNG, GTL, fertilizers, petrochemicals) and hence optimize Qatar’s competitive position across world markets,” H.E. Minister Al Attiyah said.

“We are pleased to begin work on this world scale gas conversion project which will further diversify Qatar’s growing gas utilization industry and produce an environmentally friendly, competitive alternative fuel for power generation,” Minister Al Attiyah added.

The Heads of Agreement calls for PetroWorld to conduct a feasibility study which is expected to confirm the technical configuration, economics of the project and the market opportunities already identified, as well as a plan for the process selection and project implementation.

PetroWorld has identified geographical areas with high potential and targeted utilities for a marketing effort, which will be implemented concurrent with the signing of this Heads of Agreement.

“This project will promote South Africa’s strong industrial base by utilizing South Africa’s unique gas-to-liquids technologies in conjunction with the global oil, gas and power generation and related projects development experience of TransWorld,” Minister Mlambo Ngcuka said.

“This planned project of PetroWorld and Qatar Petroleum, which is another milestone in the developing cooperation between South Africa and Qatar in the energy sector, will build on the successful foundation laid by the ORYX GTL project of Sasol of South Africa and Qatar Petroleum,” Her Excellency added.

Large Scale Fuel Grade Methanol is a process, which converts natural gas into a ready to use liquid (methanol) transportable under normal temperature and pressure. By expanding the size of conventional chemical grade methanol plants fro 5,000 tons to 15,000 tons of output per day, unit capital and operating costs are lowered significantly and fuel grade methanol becomes a competitive alternative fuel for electric power generation.

Recent developments by the major methanol process licensors have proven the technical feasibility of a new generation of Large Scale Methanol Plants. Correspondingly, component costs have to become better definable and EPC contractors continue to gain experience in lowering costs and completing construction within budget while providing the appropriate guarantees.

Fuel grade methanol is safe to handle and environmentally benign and can be transported in conventional double hull produce tankers. Power generators do not require special handling or expensive regasification at the receiving end. Over the past few years major turbine manufacturers and electric utilities have investigated and approved the use of methanol for power generation.

The major factor which has limited wide-scale use of methanol as a power generation fuel has been price, which will now be removed with due to the dramatically lower unit cost per BTU made possible by the economies of this world-scale methanol project. Electric power generators require only minor modifications to their existing combined cycle combustion turbine facilities to accommodate this environmentally friendly fuel.

The feasibility study is to be completed prior to the end of 2003. The partners expect the proposed plant to come on steam by 2008.

2001/5

カタール：QPと南アSasolは，８億ドルのGTLプラント建設で合意
http://oilresearch.jogmec.go.jp/publish/pdf/2001/200105_139t.pdf

　Qatar Petroleum （QP，旧GPCより社名変更）と南アSasolは，2001年３月12日，GTL事業実施に関する共同事業合意書に調印した。調印式は，第４回ドーハ･ガス会議の会場となったホテルにおいて行われた。
　両社は，カタールGTL事業実施のための30百万ドルのfront-end engineering and design（FEED）契約にも調印した。同プロジェクトは1995年以来，FS契約に基づき事業性の検討が進められてきたが，近日中に，今回の合意書調印に関する必要な法的手続が完了し次第，エンジニアリング業務が開始され，正式に事業がスタートすることになる。 名称：ORYX GTL

＜カタールGTLプロジェクト概要＞
　世界有数の規模であるカタールNorth Fieldガス田で産出される天然ガスを原料として，低環境負荷の次世代燃料として注目されている
G T L液体燃料の製造プラントを建設する。
　GTL技術の先駆者であり，世界で初の商業ベースのGTLプラント（石炭ベース）を稼動させたSasol社がプラント建設及び技術全般を担当する。

＜本プロジェクトのこれまでの経緯＞
1995年　　　　Sasol，QGPC（当時）間で事業化へ向けての協議開始
1996年10月　　プレFS完了
1997年７月　　FS（生産能力前提20千b/d規模）実施を目指すMOU締結
1998年11月　　FS契約（同上）を締結
2000年７月　　生産能力変更（約34千b/dにアップ）を織り込んだMOU締結
2000年８月　　新FS契約（生産能力前提33,750b/d）締結
2001年３月　　共同事業合意，FEED契約締結

なお，本プロジェクトには，当初，QP，Sasolに加えPhillipsが共同パートナーとなることが予定されていたが，Phillipsは2000年5月，カタール国内での戦略的事業再構築を進める一環として，GTLプロジェクトからの撤退を表明している。

＜今後の見通し＞
Sasolによれば，本プロジェクトは今後下記スケジュールにより進められる予定である。順調に行けば2005年中には商業生産が開始される見込みである。
�@FEED（事前設計エンジニアリング）　＜９ヶ月＞
�A建設調達入札＜５ヶ月＞
�B本設計，調達，建設＜27ヶ月＞
�C試運転＜３ヶ月＞　→　商業生産開始まで合計44ヶ月

カタールは，既存のLNGプラント増強計画を打ち出すなど，世界トップクラスの豊富なガス資源をいかした積極的なガス開発政策を推進しており，今回のGTLプロジェクトもその政策の延長上にあるといえよう。
GTL製造は，硫黄含量が低い天然ガスを原料として，フィシャー＝トロプシュ反応で飽和炭化水素を合成するというプロセスである。製品は、基本的には，硫黄分，窒素分，芳香族族分，重金属分を含まない非常にクリーンな性状を有しており，「環境との調和」という面から今後その適用分野の拡大が予想されている。最近，Sasol以外でもShellやBPといったメジャー各社や中堅石油会社によるGTLプロジェクトの建設計画が次々と発表されているが，そのなかで数少ない稼動中のプラントであるマレーシア（ビンツル）におけるShellのGTLプラント(製造能力12,500b/d)は，製品がワックス，溶剤といったニッチ商品が主体であるとされている。カタールGTLプロジェクトが稼動すると，国際マーケット向中間留分（灯軽油）を主たる製造対象とするGTLプラントとしては世界初ということになり，今後の進捗が注目されるところである。

日本経済新聞　2006/6/2

カタール　次世代燃料を量産　天然ガス利用 環境にも配慮　石油の代替狙う

　カタールは天然ガスを利用した自動車向けなどの次世代燃料、ガス・ツー・リキツド(GTL)の大規模商業生産を開始した。生産能力は日量３万４千バレル、数年以内に同１０万バレルを追加する。GTLは石油製品に比べ有害物質の発生が少なく環境への負荷が小さい。価格が高騰している石油の代替燃料として、日本を含む先進国を中心に普及に弾みがつく可能性もある。
　カタール国営石油会社(QP)と南アフリカの石油会社サソールがそれぞれ５１%、４９%を出資して合弁会社オリックス・GTLを設立した。合弁会社はカタール北部の天然ガス施設集積地区ラスラファンにプラントを建設。第１期の投資額は約１０億ドルで、今月６日にハマド首長が出席する完工式を開催する。
　第２期以降の設備増強工事では米シェブロンが合弁事業に参画する予定。６０億ドル程度が追加で投じられる見通し。また、ロイヤル・ダッチ・シェルが日量１４万バレルの設備を２００９年に、エクソンモービルは同１５万バレルの設備を１１年までにそれぞれラスラファンに建設する方針だ。
　カタールのGTL生産は原油高を追い風にスタートする。GTL価格は未公表だが、主な用途であるガソリンに対抗できる水準に下がっているもよう。同国がGTL計画を策定した際の原油価格は１バレル２０−３０ドル。その後の原油高でガソリン原価が上昇しているため、GTL生産に採算面の懸念はないとの見方が一般的だ。
　米エネルギー省は原油高が続いた場合、GTLと石炭を液化した代替燃料のCTL(コール・ツー・リキッド)を合わせた世界需要が２０２５年に日量１００万バレル程度に拡大すると予測する。既存のGTL生産設備はシェルがマレーシアに持つ日量１万バレル強のプラントや、サソールの南ア向け小規模設備などにとどまっている。

2004/3/23 QP

QP, Sasol Chevron Announce US$6 Billion Blueprint to Boost GTL

Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Sasol Chevron today announced plans to evaluate the expansion of ORYX GTL from 34,000 bbl/day to 100,000 bbl/day.
QP and Sasol Chevron have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the ORYX GTL Expansion project and have discussed the technical and business principles that will support the planned increase in the output of the foundation plant to 100,000 bbl/day. This will involve defining the feasibility of a three (3) train, 65,000 bbl/day facility with an expected start up by 2009.

QP and Sasol Chevron have also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to examine GTL Base Oils opportunities in Qatar.

QP and Sasol Chevron have agreed to pursue the opportunity to develop a 130,000 bbl/day upstream/downstream integrated GTL project based on the Sasol Slurry Phase Distillate Process and utilising resources from the North Field. This will involve defining the feasibility of a six (6) train facility with an expected start up by 2010. These efforts will lead to the establishment of a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for the project.

The combined plan will represent an investment of more than $6 billion, making it one of the most significant developments in the global GTL industry to date.

These ventures will build on the technical and operational expertise already established through the development of both ORYX GTL and the EGTL facility in Nigeria. The Integrated Project will also utilise the comprehensive upstream capabilities of ChevronTexaco.

At an announcement ceremony today in Doha, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar said:"I welcome these projects and I welcome the participation of Sasol Chevron. We are working hard to realise the ambition of the State of Qatar to become the GTL capital of the world and these projects will make an important contribution to achieving that aim."

Mr. Pat Davies, a Director of Sasol Chevron and Executive Director of Sasol, said: "I am delighted that we are further building on the success of the Oryx GTL venture. Sasol looks forward with our JV, Sasol Chevron, and QP to grow a very substantial GTL business in Qatar based on our unique technology."

Mr. John Gass, Chairman of Sasol Chevron and President of ChevronTexaco Global Gas, said:

"The pursuit of these opportunities builds upon the solid foundation already established from QP and Sasol's original GTL plant and reinforces ChevronTexaco's commitment to building a GTL business as an integral part of our Global Gas strategy. This is an impressive slate of GTL projects and, through Sasol Chevron, we look forward to working with QP to develop superclean liquid fuels from natural gas and to help advance Qatar’s stated ambition to become the GTL capital of the world."

Mr. George Couvaras, Chief Executive of Sasol Chevron Consulting Limited said: "That Sasol Chevron can call on the extensive resources, expertise and experience of both its parents gives us a major advantage in expanding ORYX GTL and delivering a top class, fully integrated project. We at Sasol Chevron are looking forward to building on the excellent working relationship that Qatar Petroleum and Sasol have already established and to delivering the high quality business and project performance that is already accepted as standard for ORYX GTL."

"We recognise that an important aspect of the State of Qatar's diversification strategy is the development of world scale GTL plants utilising resources from the North Field. Sasol Chevron has been pursuing GTL and other opportunities in Qatar as a high strategic priority in order to develop ventures for the mutual benefit of the State of Qatar, QP and Sasol Chevron."

2004/7/8

Qatar Petroleum and Shell Sign DPSA for Pearl GTL Project

Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Qatar Shell GTL Limited (Shell), a company of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, today signed an integrated Development and Production Sharing Agreement (DPSA) that provides for the fiscal and legal terms for the Pearl GTL project. 'Pearl GTL' is the name given to the project announced by QP and Shell last October at a Heads of Agreement signing in Doha. The agreement reaffirms Shell's long-term commitment to Qatar and confirms the company as a leader in GTL development.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Qatar Petroleum by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar and by Malcolm Brinded, Vice Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies and CEO, Shell Exploration and Production and Shell Gas & Power.

The Pearl GTL project comprises the development of upstream gas production facilities as well as an onshore GTL plant that will produce 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) of GTL products as well as significant quantities of associated condensate and liquefied petroleum gas. The project will be developed in two phases with the first phase operational in 2009, producing around 70,000 bpd of GTL products with the second phase to be completed less than two years later. The project includes the development of a block within Qatar's vast North Field gas reserves, producing substantial quantities of natural gas.

The project is progressing well with the first of two appraisal wells in the North Field drilled in February 2004 and the award of the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) contract to JGC Inc. of Japan in March this year.

"This agreement is reached in compliance with the directives of His Highness, the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani who set the strategy to achieve optimal utilization of our country's natural resources. This strategy is set to build a bright future for young Qatari generations and to enhance the economic position of Qatar regionally and internationally," H.E. Al-Attiyah said.

H.E. also stated that “the signing of this agreement is a key milestone in the progress of the Pearl GTL project and a major achievement for the State of Qatar. It highlights real progress towards realising our ambition of becoming the GTL capital of the world. We are delighted to partner with Shell on this project.

Malcolm Brinded remarked: "The signing of the DPSA is a significant milestone in this landmark project. Pearl GtL reinforces our leadership position in Gas to Liquids and our commitment to working with Qatar on the development of GTL as a commercially attractive and clean way of delivering natural gas to market. The project itself illustrates our strategy of 'more upstream and profitable downstream', in one integrated development."

The Pearl GTL plant will produce a range of products, primarily naphtha and transport fuels, with a smaller quantity of normal paraffins and lubricant base oils. GTL Fuel is a clean synthetic fuel for automotive use that is a gas-derived, rather than an oil-derived product, providing strategic diversification of energy supply. As a transport fuel it can be used in light and heavy-duty diesel vehicles, and its low emissions performance has the potential to reduce pollution in major cities. GTL Fuel has been successfully trialled in a number of countries alongside several partners, the most recent one being the Toyota-Shell GTL D-CAT trial launched on July 6th 2004 in London. These trials have demonstrated that GTL Fuel can be used in existing engines and provided considerable evidence on the performance benefits of GTL Fuel.

2007/2/12　Qatar Petroleum

Qatar's First Linear Alkyl Benzene Plant Inaugurated

Under the Auspices of His Highness, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, officially inaugurated, on behalf of His Highness, the SEEF Ltd. Company's new Linear Alkyl Benzene plant in Mesaieed today. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries and guests from Qatar and abroad.

Built at a cost of about US$300 million, Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant is situated adjacent to Qatar Petroleum Refinery in the industrial area of Mesaieed, about 40 Kms from Doha. Its proximity to the QP Refinery was selected for its source of feedstock and sharing of various common utilities.

The LAB plant is designed to produce 100,000 metric tons of Linear Alkyl Benzene per annum which is a detergent intermediate used for manufacture of environmental friendly household detergents.

SEEF Limited is a joint stock company with Qatar Petroleum holding 80% of the shares while 20% is held by United Development Company (UDC). The Company was incorporated under the law of State of Qatar and was registered in July 2004.

H.E. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy and Industry said the project represents an "implementation of the vision of H.H. the Emir's, and his wise directives to enhance and to promote the role of the private sector in the economic development through participation in such projects." H.E. Al-Attiyah stated that the plant operations had started one month ahead of plan and was completed within the budget.

"SEEF strictly complied with all local and international environmental regulations and requirements, and adhered to international occupational health and safety regulations during all stages of the project," H.E. Al-Attiyah said.

The plant consists of seven main units in addition to the associated utilities & off-sites facilities. The plant is designed to produce 260 metric tons per day of normal paraffin from kerosene supplied by QP Refinery and also 104 metric tons per day of Benzene, recovered from treated Pygas, supplied from QAPCO and Q-Chem. Part of Benzene is also produced from Reformate supplied by QP Refinery. Return streams improve the Refinery gasoline specifications which is used as vehicle fuel, thus contributing to a reduction of environmental pollution. A small quantity (3,600 tons/annum) of by-product Heavy Alkyl Benzene (HAB) is also produced which is used as a base for lube oil manufacture.

The LAB plant started its production in March 2006. LAB exports started in April 2006 to major buyers in the Middle East, Far East, and Europe.

The project was conceived in 2002, and the EPC Contract was awarded to South Korean Company LG Engineering and Construction, (now renamed as GS Engineering and Construction) in January 2004. The market study and Front End Engineering Design (FEED) was carried out by Foster Wheeler Energy of UK.

Project construction involved 8.2 million man-hours with 9,000 workers during the peak construction period. Total plant area is 154,000 sq.m of which 83,800 sq. m comprises of storage and remaining 70,300 sq m is for process, offsites and export berth facilities.

For more information please visit: www.seefqatar.com.qa

February 22, 2007 　http://www.dailystar.com.lb/

Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil cite spiraling costs for decision to scrap gas-to-liquids plan

Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil dropped plans Wednesday to build a gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant in Qatar due to spiraling costs and will instead turn their attention to developing part of the country's huge North gas field. Qatari Energy Minister Abdullah al-Attiyah said other projects in Qatar were not under threat and ground would be broken Thursday for a multi-billion-dollar GTL plant with Royal Dutch Shell.

Costs for that facility, which processes gas into refined market-ready products, have risen to as much as $18 billion from a 2003 estimate of around $5 billion. The Exxon/QP GTL scheme, signed in 2004, had an initial budget of $7 billion.

Exxon executives in Qatar and a spokeswoman in the US declined to say how high costs had risen for the plant, which was to have churned out 154,000 barrels per day.

"GTL technology is expensive and very technical," Attiyah said.
"Technology for the other projects is proven ... No other projects are under threat."

GTL plants process gas into clean oil products like low-sulfur diesel, demand for which is growing on the back of tougher limits on emissions.

QP has offered Exxon a role in the development of the Barzan gas field, part of Qatar's North field - the largest reservoir of nonassociated gas in the world. QP also offered Exxon rights to participate in any future development at Barzan.

Attiyah said it was too early to estimate the development cost of Barzan, which will pump 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of gas from 2012 to meet demand from the country's rapidly growing domestic market.

"We need the gas," he said.

Exxon's Qatar country manager, Alex Dodds, said the Barzan cost would be similar to the company's Al-Khaleej gas project, also at the North Field.

He did not say whether he was referring to the first stage of the project, which cost $1.1 billion, or the more expensive $3 billion second phase.

"We are pleased to have been the only international oil company selected to participate in the Barzan Project and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Qatar Petroleum," said Stuart McGill, senior vice president of Exxon, in a statement released in the US.

A flurry of gas projects in Qatar have inflated labor and raw-material costs, exacerbated by rising costs globally across an oil and gas industry straining to bring new capacity online to meet rapidly rising demand for energy.

Other oil companies, including ConocoPhillips and Chevron, have also cut spending or delayed projects due to the increased costs.

"It's hard to say that Exxon is losing out," said Lysle Brinker, an analyst with John S. Herold in Maine, who noted that in terms of overall production the two projects are quite close.

"You have to take Exxon and Qatar at their word that the project is too costly," Brinker said. "Exxon is not going to throw money away - that's their long-term record."

ExxonMobil, the biggest foreign investor in Qatar's energy sector, also has stakes in Qatar's huge Rasgas and Qatargas liquefied-natural-gas projects.

Qatar is home to the world's third-largest gas reserves after Russia and Iran. - Trade Arabia News Service

2007/4/19　Basell

Basell grants 50th Lupotech T technology license to QAPCO for new 250 KT per year PE plant in Qatar

Qatar Petrochemical Co. Ltd (QAPCO), a joint venture of Industries of Qatar and Total Petrochemicals, has chosen Basell’s Lupotech T technology for a new 250 KT per year low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant to be built in Mesaieed, Qatar. The start-up of the new plant is expected in 2011.

“This is the 50th Lupotech T technology license worldwide and we are very pleased to work together with QAPCO in their important expansion project,” Just Jansz, president of Basell’s Technology Business, said yesterday at the signing ceremony in Doha.

Jansz added, “The Middle East requires world-scale plants to take full advantage of the abundant availability of feedstock for petrochemicals. Scale is one of the advantages offered by Basell’s Lupotech T technology, in combination with demonstrated product capability, thus offering excellent manufacturing economics and a broad range of high quality products.”

Key features in the selection of Lupotech T technology include low manufacturing costs, fast start-up and grade changes, and a high on-stream factor which make it today’s technology of choice for the production of LDPE.

Lupotech T is the leading high pressure tubular reactor process for the production of LDPE homopolymers and EVA-copolymers. With 14 Lupotech T plants licensed since 2000 and a total of more than seven million tonnes per year of licensed capacity, Lupotech T has established itself as the clear front runner in high pressure LDPE technology.

Oct. 8, 2007　Foster Wheeler

Foster Wheeler Awarded Front-End Engineering Design and Management Contracts for New Petrochemical Complex in Qatar

Foster Wheeler Ltd. announced today that two subsidiaries in its Global Engineering and Construction Group have been awarded contracts by Qatar Intermediate Industries Holding Co. Ltd. (Qatar Holding), a fully owned subsidiary of Qatar Petroleum, to execute the front-end engineering design (FEED) and to provide project management and construction management (PMCM) services for a new grassroots petrochemical complex to be located at Mesaieed in Qatar. Qatar Holding is in the process of establishing a joint venture company for this project with Honam Petrochemical Corporation of Korea. In addition to the usual FEED scope, Foster Wheeler's work also includes the procurement of long-lead items.

The Foster Wheeler FEED contract value, which was not disclosed, will be included in the company's third-quarter 2007 bookings. A portion of the PMCM contract relating to services to be provided up to award of engineering, procurement and construction contracts, will be booked in the fourth quarter of 2007 with the remainder being booked at a later date.

The new complex will include world-scale olefins and aromatics units, which will supply ethylene, propylene and benzene to the downstream polypropylene, ethylbenzene, styrene monomer and polystyrene facilities. The complex, which will also include ethylene-to-propylene conversion units, is scheduled for completion in 2011.

"Foster Wheeler has established itself as a key global contractor in the chemical and petrochemical sector," said Steve Davies, chairman and chief executive officer, Foster Wheeler Energy Limited. "We will leverage our extensive experience, in-depth technical expertise and our proven ability to execute large, complex projects to help our client meet its objectives in realizing this major grassroots investment."

Mohammed K. Turki Al-Sobai, managing director and chief executive officer, Qatar Intermediate Industries Holding Co. Ltd., expressed his pleasure for selecting Foster Wheeler to conduct the FEED and PMCM for this very important project for Qatar Holding.

Foster Wheeler Ltd. is a global company offering, through its subsidiaries, a broad range of engineering, procurement, construction, manufacturing, project development and management, research and plant operation services. Foster Wheeler serves the upstream oil and gas, LNG and gas-to-liquids, refining, petrochemicals, chemicals, power, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and healthcare industries. The corporation is based in Hamilton, Bermuda, and its operational headquarters are in Clinton, New Jersey, USA. For more information about Foster Wheeler, please visit our Web site at www.fwc.com.