Emerson wins automation contract for Ras Laffan petchem complex

EMERSON has won the contract to supply automation and analytics technology for the US$6bn Ras Laffan petrochemical complex that is under construction in Qatar.

The integrated polymers project, which is a joint venture between QatarEnergy (70%) and Chevron Phillips Chemical (30%), will include an ethane cracker with a capacity of 2.1m t/y of ethylene, making it the largest ethane cracker in the Middle East. It will also include two high-density polyethylene derivative units with a total capacity of 1.7m t/y.

Emerson said it will provide integrated process control and safety systems for the facility whose predictive abilities can help reduce operational complexity and minimise project risk. This includes providing its DeltaV distributed control system, and Rosemount gas analyser technologies. The lead automation contract is being shared through a partnership with Viasat Energy Services, which is providing integrated telecommunications infrastructure for the Ras Laffan facility.

Lee Ahlstrom, president of Viasat Energy Services, said: “We look forward to working with Emerson and our end customers to enable the network infrastructure for one of the largest and most technically advanced petrochemical facilities in the world.”

Originally announced in 2019, the project comes as part of wider efforts in the Middle East to diversify and expand downstream by adding value to the wealth of crude and LNG resources that the region exports. The final investment decision for the project was announced last month and it is expected to start operations in late 2026.

QatarEnergy said the investment at Ras Laffan will double its ethylene production capacity and increase its local polymer production from 2.6m t/y to more than 4m t/y.

Its partnership with Chevron Phillips Chemical includes an integrated polymers plant that is being built in Texas, US through a venture called Golden Triangle Polymers. The facility is expected to start operations in 2026 and will include a 2m t/y ethane cracker and two 1m t/y high-density polyethylene units.