The FEED package is expected to take about six months, allowing for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to be issued for bid by early 2004, and an award in mid-2004.

The project calls for the construction of a 350,000-tonne-a-year (t/y) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) unit and a 350,000-t/y alpha olefins plant. Both units will use technology provided by Q-Chem II's foreign partner, the US' Chevron Phillips Chemical Company(MEED 31:1:03).

The Q-Chem-II facility will receive its feedstock from the 1.3 million-t/y cracker planned by the Ras Laffan Ethylene Company, a 54:46 joint venture between Q-Chem II and the local/French Qatofin. The invitation-to-bid package is due to be sent out in late July to prequalifiers for the cracker's technology supply and EPC contract. Five international groups are prequalified for the contract, which is due to be awarded in the second quarter of 2004 (MEED 4:7:03).

Ras Laffan Ethylene Company will also supply feedstock to Qatofin, which is planning a 450,000-t/y linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) plant, based on the Unipol PE technology, at Mesaieed. The EPC package for this is expected to be issued in September (MEED 4:4:03).