Atofina joins project to build large ethane cracker in Qatar

Qatar Petroleum Co. Tuesday signed a preliminary deal for construction of what could eventually become the world's largest ethane cracker.

Oct. 9, 2001

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Oct. 9 -- Qatar Petroleum Co. Tuesday signed a preliminary deal for construction of what could eventually become the world's largest ethane cracker.

The 1 million tonne/year plant at Ras Laffan Industrial City would come on stream in the second half of 2006. If expanded to 1.5 million tonnes/year in the second phase, sponsors said it would be the largest such unit in the world.

A final contract is due to be signed before yearend. Value of the project was not given.

Partners will be Qatar Petroleum, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LLC, Chevron Phillips International Qatar Holdings LLC, Atofina SA, and Qatar Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (QAPCO), an affiliate of Qatar Petroleum.

Qatar Petroleum and Chevron Phillips previously announced a joint venture agreement for a combined ethylene and polyethylene project (OGJ Online, June 25, 2001).

The latest deal brings Atofina and QAPCO into the project as equity participants in the ethane cracker.

The cracker will provide feedstock via pipeline to new polyethylene plants at Ras Laffan and at Mesaieed Industrial City.