Oman's $6.7bn petchem project enters commissioning phase
MUSCAT, May 13, 2020
Energy powerhouse OQ (formerly Oman Oil and Orpic Group) has announced the launch of the commissioning phase of Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC), a giant petrochemicals project being set up at an investment of $6.7 billion.
This transformational project will firmly put the Sultanate on the global petrochemicals map and enhance OQ, stated the Oman Observer, citing the wholly government-owned energy conglomerate in a tweet.
Located within Sohar Port, with an upstream Natural Gas Extraction (NGL) around 300 km away in Fahud, Liwa Plastics is OQ’s signature investment.
At full capacity, Liwa Plastics will boost OQ’s production of polyethylene and polypropylene to 1.4 million tonnes.
The product portfolio will include linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP). The improvement of the product mix helps OQ’s partners to address the growing global demand for innovative polymers.
In addition to maximizing value addition to the nation’s hydrocarbon wealth, the mega venture will also spawn investments in a wide array of downstream activities.
The LPIC steam cracker project will allow polyethylene (PE) to be produced in Oman for the first time, as well as strengthen the company’s polypropylene capabilities.
