Pearl GTL Sells First Normal Paraffin Cargo

Doha, March 22 (QNA) - Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Shell Thursday on Thursday announced the sale of the first commercial shipment of Normal Paraffin from the world class Pearl Gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant, the largest GTL facility in the world. Production of the Normal Paraffin is a significant step along the road of ramping up production from the giant onshore complex, which is based in Ras Laffan Industrial city, 80 kilometers north of capital Doha. The plant is scheduled to reach full production capacity from the two production units (trains) by the middle of 2012 as planned, Shell said in a media statement today. HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada who is also chairman and managing director of QP, said, "I am pleased with the continued ramp up in the Pearl GTL project and look forward to the facility reaching full production. With GTL Normal Paraffin, Pearl GTL brings to the marketplace a valuable specialty product that will find its way into the growing detergents industry." For his part, Appointed Executive Vice President of Shell in Qatar and Managing Director of Pearl GTL Wael Sawan said, "The sale of the first commercial cargo of Normal Paraffin from Pearl GTL plant is an important milestone for the QP/Shell partnership marking the start of marketing of another gas-derived product to a global customer base." GTL Normal Paraffin is an alternative premium feedstock for detergent production. GTL Normal Paraffin can be manufactured more cost-effective and efficiently than conventional oil-based kerosene-derived normal paraffin because of the simpler production process. Once fully operational, Pearl GTL will produce 1.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the North Field, which will be processed to deliver 120,000 barrels per day of condensate, LPG and ethane and 140,000 barrels per day of gas-to-liquids (GTL) products using Shell's unique technological and project management capabilities. At the peak of construction at Pearl GTL, the project employed 52,000 workers, with major construction being completed by the end of 2010. The plant started up on 23 March 2011 when gas began flowing from offshore wells into the onshore complex. Pearl GTL, which employs Shell proprietary technology, sold the first commercial cargo of high quality gasoil in June 2011. Pearl GTL is already producing a number of high-quality GTL products for sale in oil product markets around the world including: GTL Gasoil, a cleaner-burning diesel-type automotive fuel; GTL Base Oils for premium lubricants; and GTL Naphtha, a high-paraffin feedstock for the petrochemical industry. (QNA)