GCC Mega Projects: Ras Laffan Olefins Complex, Qatar

In the last decade and half, Qatar has entered into many joint venture partnerships and production sharing agreements in the oil and gas sector. From its modest beginning as a small oil producing nation, Qatar is now positioning itself to become a major player in the energy sector.

The country possesses the world's third largest gas reserves, single largest non-associated gas field and aims to become the world’s largest LNG exporter by 2012. In recent years, the energy sector has seen a growing number of partnerships and collaboration with companies of all sizes and in all segments of the energy business.

The Ras Laffan Olefins Complex is one of Qatar’s flagship petrochemical projects, and of critical importance to the GCC and global petrochemical industries. The complex will increase the regions ethylene capacity by 1.3 million metric tonnes per annum (MTA) by utilising feedstock from gas development projects in Qatar’s North Field and will be built at Ras Laffan Industrial City. The polypropylene, monoethylene glycol, ethylene, LDPE and LLDPE produced will serve markets with premium products in both Asia and Europe. The project is currently at the FEED stage, with FEED completion scheduled for Q4 2009.

This Contax Project Study provides readers with an in-depth analysis of the FEED stage, using Contax’s proprietary data and industry insights. Forthcoming updates will track project development at the EPC Bid, Execution and Operations & Maintenance stages.

With the project looking very likely to move into the EPC bid phase soon, this Study provides all interested parties with a clear picture of the project at its current stage and gives insights into project structure to allow users to make targetted investments in the project.

This report is an essential source of critical up-to-date information on the project. It will enable readers to identify and prioritise appropriate opportunities, understand requirements and plan resources, and develop business.

Key insights include:

• The scope of the project
• The current status of the project
• Key project timelines, including forecast award dates for the various packages
• Our assessment of the likelihood for the project being realised
• Any potential challenges for the project to be realised
• Key contractors and technology providers involved or likely to be involved
• An overview of the decision-making structure and key personnel
• The strategic importance of the project
• The market overview of Qatar in the context of the GCC
• The global production of petrochemical products
• An overview of key technical aspects of the project.