2006:

The Largest Order in the History of Air Separation: the GTL “Pearl” Project”

In August 2006 Linde Engineering received the largest order ever placed for Air Separation Units. Eight large air separation plants in total are to be built on a lump-sum turnkey basis. The customer is Qatar Shell GTL Ltd.

The project will be developed in two phases with the first phase operational around the end of the decade. The second phase will be completed around one year later.
Against strong international competition, and with its particular engineering and construction concept, Linde was awarded the contract for this prestigious project.

Sponsored by Qatar Petroleum and Shell, Pearl GTL is not only the world's largest integrated GTL project, but also the largest energy project ever launched within the borders of Qatar. Upstream Pearl GTL will produce, transport and process some 1.6 billion cubic feet per day of well head gas from the North Field to produce approximately 120,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of condensate, liquefied petroleum gas and ethane.

Downstream, dry gas will be used as feedstock for a new onshore integrated GTL complex which will manufacture an additional 140,000 barrels per day of liquid hydrocarbon products. The plant will produce a range of high quality liquid products and fuels, comprising naphtha, GTL fuel, normal paraffins, kerosene and lubricant base oils.

Linde Engineering will supply the vast amount of oxygen feedstock for the GTL process, totaling 28,800 metric tons/day.

Model of the Air Separation Units of the Pearl-GTL-Plant

The Linde Group has been active in the GTL field for many years. For example, in South Africa, Linde supplied two air separation plants, which went into operation mid 1992. At that time it was the largest GTL complex world-wide. In this plant, PetroSA, formerly Mossgas, produces 34,000 barrels of diesel as well as kerosene, lubricants and naphtha from natural gas. Until only a few years ago, there was only one other GTL plant in the world, Shell's GTL plant at Bintulu, Malaysia.

In addition to the present Pearl GTL project, another complex has been built for the joint venture between Sasol and Qatar Petroleum in Qatar and another GTL plant is also at present being prepared for construction in Nigeria by Chevron Nigeria Limited and NNPC. These are clear indications on how important the development of GTL plants is becoming for the gas and oil industry.