Qatar, Shell to develop GTL facility

Qatar Petroleum and Shell International Gas Ltd have announced the signing of a Statement of Intent to study the development of a world-scale Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) facility, which would be integrated with an upstream development of the North Field.

The Statement of Intent was signed by Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Qatari Minister of Energy and Industry and QP chairman; and Shell Gas and Power CEO Linda Cook.

"We are pleased to welcome Shell to participate with us in developing a significant Gas-to-Liquids conversion plant here in the State of Qatar.

"We all share the vision of HH Emir that GTL synthetic fuels will play an important role in the strategic development of Qatar's hydrocarbon reserves in the years ahead.

"We are confident that Shell can assist us in turning the Amir's vision to a real success story and move us a step closer towards placing Qatar as a world major in the production of GTL synthetic fuels and products," Al Attiyah said.

"Gas-to-Liquids represents a major export opportunity for Qatar to further commercialise resources in the North Field by producing ultra-clean high specification products for which there is a growing market. We are delighted to be working with Qatar Petroleum on the development of a world-scale GTL facility, said Linda Cook.

Shell's proprietary Gas-to-Liquids technology, the Shell Middle Distillates Synthesis (SMDS), has been developed through a 25-year research programme, and implemented in the first generation commercial SMDS facility in Bintulu Malaysia.

Shell is actively pursuing a portfolio of second-generation GTL projects around the world.