Pearl GTL wins prestigious Global Energy Award

Pearl GTL is jointly developed by Qatar Petroleum and Shell and is the world’s largest and most innovative gas to liquids plant ever built.

Over the past 12 years Platts has honored and recognized those who have transcended the status quo in the name of leadership, innovation and performance. Keeping pace with the world’s energy needs will require not only inventive and practical solutions, but also a clear commitment to safety and the environment.

“We are very proud of winning this prestigious award. Pearl GTL is by every measure a landmark project: outstanding design, robust technological application at a world scale, all-round execution excellence, flawless start-up and above all unparalleled safety performance. We are also proud that we are able to deploy our technology and experience to strengthen our partnership with Qatar Petroleum and deliver value to the State of Qatar and to Shell for decades to come,” said Andy Brown EVP Shell and Managing Director of Pearl GTL.

The Construction Project of the Year award is about excellence in project execution and management. The winner is a project which shows true innovation in its approach and excellence in implementation. While making their nomination, the judges agreed that Pearl GTL demonstrates innovative approaches to project delivery, strategic significance, financial robustness and vision to transform all or some part of the energy industry.

Pearl GTL is the largest energy project in Qatar and, at $18 – 19 billion, is Shell’s largest investment in a single project. It captures the full value chain from offshore development through onshore gas processing to refining of finished products. It consists of two unmanned offshore platforms 60 kilometers off the Qatar coast, connected by pipeline to the world’s most innovative GTL plant ever built.

Train 1 of the plant is currently producing and is ramping up. Train 2 was also brought on stream with first production of GTL waxes from the first GTL reactors in that train achieved this week. Both trains of the plant will ramp up to full production by mid 2012.

Once in full production, Pearl GTL will convert 1.6 billion standard cubic feet per day of wellhead gas into 260,000 barrels per day of products, comprising 140,000 bbl/d of GTL products and 120,000 bbl/d of condensate, LPG and ethane.

At peak construction over 50,000 people from 60 countries were involved in the construction of the giant onshore complex. Because of genuine focus on safety and workers’ welfare the project delivered outstanding safety, productivity and quality standards.

Gas-to-liquids products are high quality, cleaner-burning oil products such as gasoil and high-specification lubricant base oils and chemicals feedstock.