The start of the commissioning phase of Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC) has just been announced by state-owned energy firm OQ (formerly Oman Oil and Orpic Group).

The $6.7bn project is billed as transformational and is expected to put the Sultanate on the global petrochemicals map and enhance OQ’s portfolio, according to a report by the Oman Observer.

Located within Sohar Port, with an upstream Natural Gas Extraction (NGL) around 300km away in Fahud, Liwa Plastics is said to be OQ’s signature investment.

At full capacity, the complex will boost OQ’s production of polyethylene and polypropylene to 1.4m tonnes. According to the report, the product portfolio will include linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP). The improvement of the product mix is said to help OQ’s partners address the growing global demand for innovative polymers.

In addition to maximising value addition to the nation’s hydrocarbon wealth, the facility will also drive investments in a wide array of downstream activities.

The LPIC steam cracker project will allow polyethylene (PE) to be produced in Oman for the first time, as well as strengthen the company’s polypropylene capabilities, the report said.