Roles have been assigned on the bank tranche of the $4,300 million financing package for Qatar Gas Transportation Company (Nakilat). A 22-strong group of mandated lead arrangers was appointed on the 15-year deal in October (MEED 27:10:06).

Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas and DNB Nord are the international bookrunners, while Gulf International Bank is the regional bookrunner. Nakilat's parent, Qatar Petroleum, is aiming for a successful general syndication in spite of $2,225 million already being committed and scaling back expected after an imminent bond issue. HSBC is the facility agent for the commercial portion, Calyon is the facility agent for the Korea Export Insurance Corporation (KEIC) tranche, Barclays Capital is the documentation bank and Citigroup is the account bank and senior security trustee.

Roadshows are due to be launched on 23 November for the 144a bond tranche, lead managed by Credit Suisse First Boston and Lehman Brothers. The paper is likely to be worth at least $1,000 million. Sumitomo-Mitsui Banking Corporation is Nakilat's overall financial adviser

The next bond to come out of Qatar is expected to be for Qatar Fertiliser Company (Qafco) in early 2007. Eight banks have been called for meetings in late November following the submission of bids earlier in the month for both a ratings advisory and a financial advisory mandate on a $1,000 million debt package, partly to fund the $650 million Qafco 5 project (MEED 10:11:06).