Qatar is a major gas producer but a minnow in oil output. A second train production is expected to start up before the end of 2011, the statement said.
The plant is the largest energy project ever launched in Qatar and is expected to reach full production capacity by the middle of 2012.
“The Pearl GTL project will play an important role in further enhancing our diversification of the North Field gas utilization and will support the optimization of Qatar’s competitive position in the world markets by supplying high quality GTL products,” Qatari Energy Minister Mohammed Al-Sada said in the statement.
The project, a joint development by Qatar Petroleum and Shell located at Qatar’s industrial city of Ras Laffan, will produce GTL products including diesel, kerosene, naphtha and lubricant oils, as well as condensates and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Once fully operational, Pearl is expected to produce 1.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the North Field, which will be processed to deliver an expected 120,000 barrels per day of condensate, LPG and ethane and an expected 140,000 barrels per day of GTL products, the statement said.