Q-Chem II to boost HDPE, alpha olefins output in Qatar

09-Jun-06

The completion of Q-Chem II in the next two years will provide an impetus to Qatar’s production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and normal alpha olefins (NAO).This 51:49 joint venture between Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Chevron Phillips International Qatar Holdings is to have a capacity of 350,000 metric tpa each of HDPE and NAO. The two plants would use Chevron Phillips polyethylene particle-form slurry process, which offers “several advantages” over competing gas-phase and solution-phase polyethylene processes.The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract has been awarded to Technimont and Daewoo Engineering & Construction Company. Financing for Q-Chem II and its share of the ethylene cracker will be provided by a group of commercial banks and the Export-Import Bank of the US along with equity capital from Chevron Phillips Chemical and QP.