“Construction work, by Chiyoda-Foster Wheeler, began in the second quarter of 2003 and is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with production starting at the beginning of 2006,” said Qalhat LNG

“The plant is being built adjacent to Oman LNG’s (OLNG) two-train unit, enabling it to share some of OLNG’s facilities such as storage and the loading jetty. Oman LNG will operate the new train and its own two trains as one integral plant.

“With the first shipment targeted for early 2006, Qalhat LNG is expected to achieve ‘Best-in-Class’ project execution. Nearly 50% of the output has already been sold to Union Fenosa and the balance to Osaka Gas, Mitsubishi Corp and Itochu Corp,” it added

Qalhat LNG is 55.84% owned by the government, 36.8% by Oman LNG and 7.36% by Union Fenosa Gas of Spain.