NOC-Dow JV to expand Ras Lanuf petrochemical complex

24 Apr '07

3 min read

Dr. Shukri Ghanem, Chairman of NOC, said, “We are delighted our companies are negotiating an agreement of this nature for the benefit of the Libyan economy. The partnership will bring a respected global company and its expertise together with a proven National enterprise to upgrade and produce world grade products while enhancing the technical abilities of the Libyan workforce.”

The joint venture agreement encompasses the Ras Lanuf site's existing naphtha cracker, two polyethylene production facilities and associated infrastructure. The project will include refurbishment and expansion of the existing units, followed by construction of an ethane cracker and additional polyethylene and polypropylene facilities.

The Ras Lanuf petrochemical complex is on the Mediterranean coast of Libya and was built in the 1980s.

NOC was established in 1970 to implement the strategy of the Country's policy in upstream and downstream oil and gas activities. NOC 5 petroleum refineries having a total refining capacity of 380,000 lbs/day of methanol, ammonia, urea plants, producing 2000 t/day, 2200 t/day and 2750 t/day respectively as well as petrochemical facilities at Ras Lanuf based on Naphtha cracking producing about 330 kt/year Ethylene, 170 kt/year Propylene, 130 kt/year mixed C4's and 325 kt/year Pyrolysis Gasoline.

Part of Ethylene is used to produce about 80 kt/year LLDPE and 80 kt/year of HDPE.

National Oil Corporation