Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG producer, provided an exclusive tour of its Laffan Refinery 1 (LR1) to media representatives on Tuesday, 25 March.
The tour enabled an in-depth look at the facilities, which will bolster its designation as the largest condensate refinery in the world when construction of its second phase, Laffan Refinery 2 (LR2), is launched on 1 April 2014.
The Laffan Refinery processes condensate, an associated product of natural gas production, which can be refined into a number of high-quality products and used as lower emission fuels and feedstock in the petrochemical industry. Upon completion of LR2, Qatar will have the capacity to process a significant amount of the condensate derived from the North Field. Qatargas, a pioneer in the LNG industry, leverages the unrivalled experience and expertise of its industry-leading partners to contribute to Qatar’s energy mix, thereby advancing the achievement of long-term sustainability for the country.
As previously stated by Qatargas CEO, Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Thani “Laffan Refinery 1 and 2 will build a bridge between the present and future generations of Qatar by optimizing the country’s natural resources and fostering sustainable growth.”
The tour was led by Salman Ashkanani, Chief Operating Officer – Refinery Ventures. “Qatargas is proud to showcase the Laffan Refinery to our guests as we look forward to the construction of Laffan Refinery 2, which will greatly enhance Qatar’s capacity to satisfy its energy needs,”
Following a safety induction, visitors were invited into the LR1 control room where they were briefed on the refinery’s operations which currently has a refining capacity of 146,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD). Once completed, the LR2 expansion will effectively double the refining capacity of the facility. Attendees were briefed on the practical uses of products obtained from the refinery, which include jet fuel, diesel fuel, propane, butane, and naphtha.
Guests also toured the Diesel Hydrotreater (DHT) project, which will treat the diesel from the refinery to produce low-sulfur diesel (less than 10 ppm of sulfur) that will contribute to serve domestic demand and secure Qatar’s self-sufficiency in transport fuel. Once operational on 30 April 2014, the DHT facility will have the capacity to process 54,000 BPSD. Like LR2, DHT is designed to meet the most stringent environmental standards.
Visitors were also given access to the contract workers’ camp where they evidenced its best-in-class accommodation facilities, in line with the State of Qatar’s priority and commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all the people working in the country . Finally, attendees viewed the Gantry facility which was constructed by Qatargas and handed over to Woqod (Qatar Fuel) for operation. The Gantry facility is the point from which Laffan Refinery products are delivered to the local market by truck and pipeline.
Construction of LR2 will officially commence at the LR2 Stone Laying Ceremony on 1 April 2014. LR2 is of strategic importance as it contributes towards the diversification of Qatar’s energy mix, consolidates the country’s sustainability with respect to hydrocarbon fuels and strengthens Qatar’s capacity to meet increasing domestic demand.