QatarPrequalification has been launched for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) package on the Qatar Chemical Company II (Q-Chem II)project at Mesaieed, after the client sent out a solicitation of interest to contractors. Interested companies have been given until 22 September to respond to the inquiry.

The EPC package is expected to go for tender in late 2003/early 2004. The Houston office of Oslo-based Aker Kvaerneris carrying out the front-end engineering and design (FEED) package for the project, which 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 11:7:03).

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(MEED 22:8:03; 1:8:03).