The first phase of the new Elixier joint venture involves the construction of a $65m air separation plant in Ruwais.

The new plant will supply nitrogen from the end of 2009 to industrial customers in Ruwais and will also produce liquefied nitrogen and oxygen.

Linde is to hold a 49 per cent stake in the venture, with Adnoc owning 51 per cent.

Adnoc has previously considered using nitrogen gas as an alternative to conventional gas for reinjection on its onshore oil fields (MEED 21:9:07).

The plan would require the construction of a nitrogen production plant at Habshan, close to the Bab oil field, to create nitrogen using air as feedstock. Linde has been asked to submit a proposal for the plant.

In 2006, the German firm won the cracker package on Abu Dhabi Polymers Company’s (Borouge) petrochemicals complex in Ruwais. Adnoc has a major stake in the project (MEED 1:12:06).

Under the terms of the estimated $1.3bn lump-sum engineering, procurement and construction contract, Linde will build the 1.4 million-tonne-a-year ethane cracker in 41 months.