The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and its project partner Cepsa, have announced the awarding of a key contract, as both companies move forward with plans to develop a world-scale Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant in the Ruwais Derivatives Park. The LAB project is the first of the derivative units to be advanced under ADNOC’s AED 165 billion (US $45 billion) Ruwais downstream investment program.

The Front End Engineering Design (FEED) contract, a key milestone in the development of the LAB project, has been awarded to Técnicas Reunidas SA (TR), a Spanish-based engineering company which has been active in the UAE since 2006. The LAB project will be jointly operated by ADNOC and Cepsa, a Spanish based global integrated energy company, with more than five decades of experience in LAB. Cepsa is wholly-owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company.

When it comes on stream, the plant will produce 225,000 metric tons per annum (MTPA) of Normal Paraffins (NP) and 150,000 MTPA of LAB.

ADNOC Refining & Petrochemicals Business Unit Manager Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi said: “The LAB plant will be a key component of ADNOC’s plans to develop a new, large-scale, manufacturing ecosystem in Ruwais through the creation of the Ruwais Derivatives Park. The park will act as a prime catalyst for the next stage of ADNOC’s petrochemical transformation by inviting partners to invest and produce new products and solutions from the growing range of feedstocks that are available in Ruwais. This will enable the creation of numerous new petrochemical activities and value chains.

About ADNOC

ADNOC is a major diversified group of energy and petrochemical companies that produces about 3 million barrels of oil and 10.5 billion cubic feet of raw gas a day. Its integrated upstream, midstream and downstream activities are carried out by 14 specialist subsidiary and joint venture companies.

About Cepsa

Cepsa is a global energy company, which operates in an integrated manner at all stages of the hydrocarbon value chain as well as manufacturing products from plant-based raw materials and having a presence in the renewable energy sector. Mubadala Investment Company, one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, is its sole shareholder. It has more than 85 years of experience and a team of around 10,000 professionals, with technical excellence and the ability to adapt. It is present on all five continents through its Exploration and Production, Refining, Chemical, Marketing, Gas and Electricity, and Trading divisions.

About Técnicas Reunidas

Técnicas Reunidas is one of the main international engineering and construction companies in the sectors of production of oil and gas, petrochemical and power generation for a wide range of clients worldwide. Since 1960 it has designed and built over 1000 industrial plants in over 50 countries.