The Qatargas operated Laffan Refinery Company Limited has awarded a lump sum Front End Engineering Design Contract for the Refinery's Phase 2 expansion to Technip. Phase 2 will increase the current refinery capacity to enable Qatar to meet all of its Naphtha, Diesel, LPG and Kerojet requirements.

The FEED study is scheduled to be completed by the Q1 of 2012 and will be executed by Technip engineering center in Paris, France. The Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract is expected to be awarded by the third quarter of 2012.

Mr Khalid Bin Khalifa AlThani CEO of Qatargas and vice chairman of Laffan Refinery Company said that "The Phase II of Laffan refinery supports the State of Qatar vision to improve product distribution domestically and fully complies with international customers' demands for cleaner fuel products allowing Qatar to become a net exporter of diesel and other refined products, instead of an importer. Qatar's target is to supply markets across Southeast Asia and Europe emphasizing on these commercially valuable products for their petrochemical industry."

Mr Salman Ashkanani manager of Laffan Refinery Venture said that "The new expansion project will double the existing capacity of the Laffan Refinery to 292,000 BPSD and the facility will be fully operational by the Q1 of 2016 playing a central role in Qatar's new energy mix and its 2030 vision."

Mr Ashkanani explained that environmental issues would be given the highest priority throughout project execution. The new facility will be designed to meet Qatar Regulatory requirements as embodied in the environmental policy and international environmental standards. This refinery will be designed for zero flaring during normal operations. Laffan Refinery consists of such major units as Utility systems, Distillation units, Naphtha and Kerosene hydrotreaters, Hydrogen unit and Saturation gas plant.