Supply deal boosts BOC's global helium capacity
5 Jun 2003
BOC has recently announced the signing of a long-term supply agreement under which it will purchase 50 percent of the output from a new helium purification and liquefaction facility to be constructed in the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar.
BOC has agreed to purchase helium from the Ras Laffan Helium Project, a joint undertaking of Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company II and Qatar Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Qatargas).
The helium will be produced at a natural gas processing facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, which also produces liquefied natural gas and other hydrocarbon products from Qatar's huge North Field.
According to a statement, helium supplied under this agreement will boost BOC's global helium capacity by approximately 15 percent, and will be shipped to customers in the Middle East and Asia. Helium deliveries under this contract are expected to commence in July 2005.
According to Bob Lein, director of helium sourcing and supply for BOC, 'The supply agreement with the Ras Laffan Helium Project will provide BOC additional capacity required to meet the continued growth in helium demand that we anticipate and will help to relieve the current tight supply conditions. This is a world-class source backed by huge reserves and is ideally situated for supplying markets that are strategically important to BOC.'
