ConocoPhillips to develop GTL plant

Qatar Petroleum and ConocoPhillips signed a statement of intent Dec. 8 for construction of a gas-to-liquids plant in Ras Laffan, Qatar.

ConocoPhillips said the signing initiates detailed technical and commercial pre-front-end engineering and design studies and establishes principles for negotiating an agreement for an integrated reservoir-to-market GTL project.

Jim Mulva, president and chief executive officer of ConocoPhillips, said ConocoPhillips and Qatar Petroleum will be working toward a heads of agreement over the next 12 months. “With our technology, resources and experience in executing large-scale developments, we are well positioned to carry out global GTL projects, and look forward to more definitive agreements in 2004.”

ConocoPhillips began a GTL research and development program in 1997 and began operation of a 400 barrel-per-day GTL demonstration plant in Ponca City, Okla., in July.

“The demonstration plant is designed and operated to assure successful technology scale-up and reliable commercial plant operation,” the company said.