By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 4 -- Qatar Petroleum has started up a new ethane cracker at its Ras Laffan industrial site. It will feed the new Qatofin polyethylene plant at Mesaieed started up in November 2009.
According to Total SA, QP’s 22.2% partner in the venture through Total Petrochmicals, the Ras Laffan olefin cracker is the largest based on ethane in the world and can produce 1.3 million tons/year of ethylene. Also a partner in the project is Chevron Phillips Chemical Co.
Feed for the cracker comes from raw natural gas produced from North field. Produced methane feeds the large LNG plants at Ras Laffan; the separated ethane then flows to the new cracker.
Total holds interests in North field through the Dolphin and Qatargas I and II projects, according to the company.
Photo from Borealis AG.
