The Diplomat
Técnicas Reunidas has won a new QatarEnergy contract worth more than 600 million dollars (570 million euros) for the construction of new sulphur treatment, storage and loading facilities in Qatar, reports Europa Press.
The company has been awarded this contract in joint venture with the Chinese company Wison Engineering in a proportion of 70% for the Spanish company and 30% for the Chinese company, to facilitate the processing and export of sulphur from the North Field liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC).
As reported by Técnicas Reunidas to the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), the new sulphur plant will process an average of 5,000 tonnes of molten sulphur per day and will include the connection of the new facilities to the existing sulphur collection system, as well as new granulators, solid sulphur storage capacity, handling equipment and a new ship loading system.
The contract also includes an option for an expansion of the facilities to support the sulphur production of two new natural gas trains, as well as the necessary infrastructure to support additional future LNG trains.
The estimated duration of the project’s execution is 48 months, with a workforce of around 415 engineers, over 70% of whom will come from Técnicas Reunidas, which argues that its work will improve air quality and facilitate a circular economy scheme, as the sulphur generated as a by-product of the gas treatment process can be used in the production of fertilisers and as a base material for chemical intermediates used in the manufacture of industrial and household products.
“This project is an essential part of our progress towards the sustainable development of our vast natural gas resources and towards the goal of remaining the largest, safest and most reliable LNG producer in the world,” said Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy Chairman and CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi.
He stressed that the joint venture contract includes additional options, as well as the ability to address any future sulphur treatment, storage and loading requirements.
When the North Field expansion project is completed, Qatar’s LNG production capacity will increase from the current 77 million tonnes per year to 126 million tonnes per year by 2027.
