The Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) project is on track to be brought online by the end of the year, major stakeholders Qatar Petroleum and Shell have announced.

Located at Ras Laffan Industrial City, the Pearl GTL is the largest of its kind ever to be undertaken in Qatar.

Since 2005, the companies have been working with technical services and oil training specialists such as Honeywell and General Electric to ensure the ambitious project progresses on schedule.

The site is set to open up new market opportunities in Qatar through the development of liquid fuels, base oils for lubricants and chemical feedstocks.

Among the most recent achievements in the development timetable is the successful lifting of the first of two platform structures on to its jackets.

"This was a challenging lift conducted safely and efficiently to exacting standards by a team of true professionals. I congratulate them on their achievement," said Andy Brown, Shell's executive vice-president and managing director of the Pearl GTL project.

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