Tasweeq and Pearl GTL Witness First Export of GTL Jet Fuel

Doha, June 12 (QNA) - Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (Tasweeq) and Pearl GTL witnessed today the loading of its first export cargo of GTL blended Jet Fuel from Ras Laffan, produced from the worlds largest gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant. Saad Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer, Tasweeq said, "The State of Qatar has entrusted Tasweeq with the export of GTL Naphtha and Jet Fuel. In 2011, we have sold the first cargo of GTL Naphtha. We are also so proud of adding yet another GTL product to Tasweeq portfolio. I am sure GTL blended Jet Fuel produced in Qatar will also enjoy a sound reputation as a quality product in key international markets around the world. We are keen to be introducing GTL blended Jet Fuel to global customers in the aviation industry." Wael Sawan, Qatar Shell Managing Director & Chairman, said: "This is a proud moment in our partnership with Qatar Petroleum as it further cements Qatars position as the GTL capital of the world. The export of GTL blended Jet Fuel from Pearl GTL demonstrates the international markets appetite for the new product. GTL blended Jet Fuel can be safely used for commercial aviation across all legacy aircrafts as well as the latest models of airframes and engines on the drawing boards today." GTL blended Jet Fuel is a blend of GTL Kerosene and conventional crude oil-derived standard jet fuel. GTL kerosene burns with virtually zero sulphur dioxide and produces lower particulate emissions (very fine soot particles) than conventional crude oil-derived jet fuel. This means that once blended with conventional jet fuel to create GTL blended Jet Fuel, it can be attractive to airlines and airport authorities keen to improve local air quality at busy airports by reducing local emissions. GTL Kerosene also has a lower density than conventional oil-based kerosene. This has the potential to reduce the required fuel payload and aircraft may be able to carry less weight of fuel to cover the same distance and its cleaner burning characteristics may result in lower engine maintenance. It is fully approved for civil aviation use at concentrations up to 50% blended with conventional jet fuel. As an alternative to conventional crude oil-derived jet fuel, it can help diversify the aviation fuel supply chain and offers a number of attractive benefits for airlines and airports. The Pearl GTL plant in Qatar (jointly developed by Qatar Petroleum and Shell) started first production of GTL Kerosene in Q3 2012. This is blended with conventional Jet A-1 produced at the nearby Ras Laffan Condensate Refinery to produce GTL blended Jet Fuel for use either in Qatar or for export. Exports will be managed via Tasweeq, the marketing company established by the State of Qatar for the sales & marketing of Regulated Products. This first export cargo of GTL blended Jet fuel consisted of 40,000 Metric tonnes of a 25% GTL Kerosene containing blend and was loaded by RLTO, the Ras Laffan Terminal Operator. Representatives from Tasweeq, Qatar Shell and Qatar Petroleum celebrated this milestone together on June 11. Tasweeq was incorporated in July 2007 as an independent company that is wholly-owned by the State of Qatar. It aims to be the worlds pre-eminent petroleum marketing company and delivers regulated products exported from Qatar, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), field condensates , sulphur, refined products (naphtha, motor gasoline, gas oil and jet fuel) and, most recently, GTL products such as naphtha and jet fuel. Under an agency agreement with QP, Tasweeq also markets QPs crude oil entitlements which are considered as non-regulated products. Shell is the largest international investor in Qatar investing up to $21 billion in the last 6 years. Qatar Petroleum and Shell delivered two of the largest energy projects in the world in Ras Laffan Industrial City. Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) is the worlds largest GTL plant and cements Qatars position as the GTL capital of the world. At an investment of $ 18 19 billion it is the largest single investment in the Shell Groups global portfolio. The Qatargas 4 Liquefied Natural Gas project (QP (70%) and Shell (30%) combines Shells global leadership in LNG with Qatars position as the worlds largest LNG supplier. Shell has established a world-class research and development facility and a learning center, the Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre, at the Qatar Science & Technology Park. Shell has a financial commitment to invest up to $100 million on programmes at the Centre over a 10-year period. In 2010, Shell and PetroChina signed an agreement with QP to explore in the pre-Khuff interval in Block D. In December 2011 Shell and QP signed a HOA to jointly develop a world-class petrochemicals complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City. (QNA)