Technical issues to keep Ras Laffan ethane cracker at reduced run rates until next year

09-Aug-10

Industries Qatar plans to run its 1.3 mln tpa ethane cracker in Ras Laffan at a reduced capacity until next year because of “technical issues”. The Ras Laffan Olefins Co’s cracker, which began operating in Q2-2010, will reach full capacity by the middle of 2011. The cracker, run at 64% capacity in May, was scheduled to reach full output by September, and has been further delayed by technical issues expected to be gradually rectified from the end of 2010. The cracker is designed to supply ethylene to Qatar Chemical Co’s new high-density polyethylene plant and to Qatofin Co’s linear low-density polyethylene plant. The Qatofin plant, which started operation last year, will also reach full output by the middle of 2011.