A joint venture between Oman Oil and Kuwait International Oil, DRPIC is planning a grassroots petrochemical complex at Duqm and has so far awarded 12 license packages to international technology providers.

Earlier this month, LyondellBasell announced it had been chosen to license its Spheripol PP and Hostalen HDPE technologies for plants at the proposed complex.

The contract with OQ Chemicals covers five plants to manufacture propanol, butyraldehyde, neopentyl glycol, 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) and 2-EH acid. OQ Chemicals will supply a process design package and support contractors during the design and construction phases, along with providing various other services that include operational support, maintenance, training and ongoing process optimization.

OQ Chemicals chief operating officer Oliver Borgmeier said the company is applying the latest technologies at Duqm that it has developed for its own production plants in Bay City, Texas, USA, and Oberhausen, Germany.

Part of Oman Oil since 2013, Germany’s Oxea changed its name to OQ Chemicals in May this year, marking its final integration into Oman’s new petrochemicals and energy giant OQ.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist