Doha, Qatar – 9 September 2015: During a recent courtesy visit to Qatar by Xavier Bontemps, Total’s Senior Vice President Polymers Business Unit, and Philippe Montagne, Vice President PolyOlefins Orient at Total Refining & Chemicals, they were hosted at the QAPCO and Qatofin plants located in Mesaieed.
This visit builds on the long-term partnership shared between the two companies, both having worked consistently for the development of the petrochemical industry of the country, thus strengthening synergies between the upstream and chemicals branches of the Total Group.
Total has worked together with QAPCO since 1974, consolidating its presence in the Middle East, while expanding polyolefin markets, particularly in Asia. Through its participation in QAPCO, Total has helped launch Qatofin, a company established to develop two projects, including one of the world’s largest ethane crackers – the Ras Laffan Olefins Company (RLOC). The cracker is designed to produce 1.3 million tons a year of ethylene.
The two partners have thus played a key role in the diversification of the State of Qatar’s economy.
As part of the visit, the dignitaries also toured QAPCO’s major assets – an ethane cracker with a capacity of 720,000 tonnes per year, and three low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plants, with a combined capacity of over 700,000 tons per year.
Dr Philippe Vindevoghel, Managing Director Refining & Chemicals Qatar and Board Director of QAPCO, who was present during the visit commented: We forged our strong history with QAPCO over 40 years ago, and together we were able to contribute in shaping Qatar’s downstream sector. This is a real pride for us that lays the basis of future developments in Qatar.
Total has had a continuous presence in Qatar for close to 80 years, and is the only international oil company active in all branches of Qatar’s oil and gas sector. This includes exploration and production, refining and petrochemicals, and the marketing of lubricants.
