Atofina, the chemicals branch of the TotalFinaElf Group, recently took a major step in the development of its petrochemicals activities in Qatar through two large-scale projects; the installation of an ethane cracker in Ras Laffan and of a polyethylene (LLDPE) plant in Mesaieed, a press release confirmed.
In order to carry out these projects, Atofina recently signed an agreement on Thursday with the Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) for the creation of Qatofin, a joint venture in which Atofina and Qapco will have a 36 percent and 63 percent share respectively, with the national Qatar company Qatar Petroleum (QP) owning the remaining one percent. Atofina already has a 10 percent interest in Qapco.
Meanwhile, Qatofin signed an agreement with Q-Chem 2, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Chevron Phillips Chemical, for the installation of an ethane cracker in Ras Laffan, in the North-East of the country. This 1.3 million tpa cracker, in which Qatofin will have a 45.7 percent shareholding, is due to become operational in 2007.
Downstream, Qatofin is planning the construction of a new 450,000 tpa polyethylene (LLDPE) plant in Mesaieed, in the South-East of Qatar, which will operate the Univation gas phase process. Feedstock for the plant will be provided by ethylene from Qatofin's production quota from the Ras Laffan cracker. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
