Qatar refinery delayed to '09

PROJECT DELAY: Qatar's 146,000 barrel per day Ras Laffan refinery will come online in 2009, Oil Minister Abdullah Al-Attiyah said. Picture for illustrative purposes only. (Getty Images)

Qatar's 146,000 barrel per day Ras Laffan refinery will come online in 2009, Oil Minister Abdullah Al-Attiyah said, rather than this year as previously expected.

"The Laffan refinery will be in operation next year. Qatar Petroleum is studying the expansion of Ras Laffan condensate refinery as phase one is fast nearing completion," Attiyah told the Gulf Times daily newspaper in remarks published on Thursday.

"We are now diligently studying the condensate refinery expansion plans."

Qatar had expected to complete the new condensate-fed refinery at Ras Laffan in 2008, and finish a study for a possible doubling of its size by 2012.

Gulf Times said Ras Laffan was a joint venture among Qatar Petroleum, which controls 80 percent, ExxonMobil and Total.

The refinery will be 100 percent export-oriented and produce liquefied petroleum gas, naphtha, kerosene, propane and butane using North Field condensate. (Reuters)

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