Objective

In this chapter, it is aimed to discuss the different availbe options for the
plant site location. This will be done by listing the selection criteria and then
assessing each site. Accordingaly , the best site which fit the criteria will be
selected.
Introduction
Selection of plant site is a major decision that must be studied and analyzed.
This is because, selecting the optimum site location does not only reduce
material and construction costs of the plant, but it also maximize the safety
of process operation and maintenance. The decision of the site location must
be ideal since it can not be changed once taken unless with a substantial
cost. An ideal location is the one which will not affect the nearby or harm the
environment locally or internationally. In addition, it should reduce the
production cost to the minimum and attain high quality product the least risk
associated. Morever, the location should serve the objective of the produced
product wether to be exported or consumed locally . In order to achieve the
right decision in selecting the ideal location that will insure the optimum
production, processing and sustainability to the community. A comparison
among three industrial cites was conducted (MIC,RLC,DIC) to choose the
most fitting location based on the factors that affects the production process.

Figure 1-Three main industrial cities

1. Ras Laffan City (RLC)

Ras Laffan city (RLC), is located 70 kilometers from Doha along the north
east coast of Qatar overlooking the Arabian Gulf and it is the workplace for
more than 100000 workers. It has strategic location because of availability of
natural gas in the region as shown in Figure 5 with estimated capacity of 900
trillion SCF. .Moreover, It has strategic rid-pattern road system that allows
ease of accessibility and movement within the City. Moreover, it offers
facilities including utilities such as cooling water, desalinated water, power
as well as it support services such as healthcare, accommodation and
telecommunication. In addition, RLC seeks to ensure that all industrial
activities in the City do not adversely impact upon the environment and this
includes land, water, air and the neighboring marine areas. This is achieved
through environmental impact studies and post commissioning surveillance
programmers. As industrial city which specializing in the production of clean
energy, RLC place particular emphasis on health, safety, security and the
management of all aspects of the environment including land, air and
marine. For future growth, RLC has master plan to anticipate and
accommodate future expansion as shown in figure 2. Additionally, RLC has

enormous social impact where it has implemented a joint Community

Outreach Program (COP) to support the community in the Northern area of
Qatar. The program aims to implement initiatives targeted to address
specific social and environmental needs in the community. The major
initiatives currently being executed include road safety training and
environmental awareness.

Figure 2-Ras Laffan Master plan

2. Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC)

Mesaieed Industrial city (MIC),is located approximately 40 km south of

Doha on the east coast of Qatar and it is the workplace for more than 9000
workers, his location is close to several oil fields as shown in figure 5. MIC is
the home of Masaieed port which is the agent for all hydrocarbon vessels
bound for Masaieed to load crude oil, butane, propane, ehtylene refined
products and other downstream hydrocarbon products. Additionally, the
roads was developed for the companies purpose. The utilities are provided in
MIC such as power and water through the pipeline from Ras Abu Funtas plant
In addition, the government has connected Ras Abu Fontas with Ras Aboud
Masaieed electricity line to ensure the sufficient supply of electricity to the
industrial city. MIC focuses on environmental issues and has strategy for

waste management. Moreover, MIC has modern well serviced community for
the resident, it provides excellent housing, educational institutions, medical
services, green areas and a variety of recreational facilities to a growing
multinational population supported by well planned safe roads. For future
expansion MIC has master plan which shows in fig 3. MIC has significance
social impact where, it provide residents with an easy access to enjoy the
cultural and social activities of the lively State capital, while living close to
work in the tranquil and friendly multi-cultural atmosphere.

Figure 3-Mesaieed Master plant

3. Dukhan
Dukhan Industrial city (DIC), is located 84 kilometers from Doha on the west
coast of Qatar, gained its significances due to discover the oil filed which
shown in figure 5. The crude oil produced in Dukhan is exported through
terminal operations department in Masaieed. Dukhan city has different
utilities plant such as Dukhan Power Station and Dukhan Desalination Plant.
Since 1994 QP has been running its oil and gas operations in Dukhan in an

environmentally way. In addition, several projects have been undertaken to

improve marine, land and air environment in and around the city. Moreover,
Dukhan has witnessed gradual development to accommodate oil and gas
operation facilities as well as housing, medical, recreational and educational
institutions and services. For further expansion, Dukhan Operations had
developed a 20 years Master Plan (Dukhan Physical Development Plan) as
shown in fig4. Dukhan Industrial city has significance social impact since
Dukhan English School is one of the oldest English medium schools in Qatar.
It traces its origins back to the early 1950s when British Petroleum, the
operators of the Dukhan Field at that time, established a school in the city. []

Figure 4-Dukhan City Master plant

Table 1-Site location Criteria

Site

Ra

Criteria
Raw Material
Utilities
Marketing and

4
3
4

Transpiration
Climate
Environmental Impact
Local community

3
4
4

consideration
Political Consideration
Land Arability
Availability of Labor
Total

4
4
4
34

For clarification seek, the criteria are justified briefly

1- Raw Material
It is highly important to locate the plant close to the raw material source
because it will reduce the cost of transportation and storage. The three cities
are located close to raw material sources as shown in figure5.

2- Utilities
In all production plants utilities are required in large amounts such as
electrical power, cooling water and heating utilities to operate and perform.
As a result, the site has to be within the premises of similar plants to share
these utilities sources and utilities, in this sense MIC will have higher score
since A3N plant is similar to Mesaieed NGL plant.
3- Marketing and Transpiration
Minimizing the cost and maximizing the profit is the purpose of any plant.
Therefore the plant location should be chosen close to market area with easy
transportation of materials. Fortunately, the three cities were built with a
good transportation system. However, MIC and RLC have ports to export
their products.
4- Climate

The weather in Qatar is approximately the same in all suggested area.

However, Masaieed has higher score in this criteria since Qatar's winds in the
most of the year are NNW the average speed and direction of the winds have
saved the Doha, from any industrial emission from Masaieed which is in the
south of Doha.
5- Environmental Impact
Waste disposal and emissions limit has to follow the Ministry of
Environmental regulation and standards. Fortunately, all the three cites
provide waste management facilities and they are equally scored.

6- Local community consideration

It is important to provide all the living needs and services for the people
working in the plant by choosing the suitable location. The community of the
plant should include services and utilities like housings, schools hospitals and
leisure facilities. In addition, it should also be safe environmentally and not
affected by any emissions and discharges from the plant. All the three cities
equipped with essential facilities and accommodations needed to secure a
proper life for the workers. This is also to ensure a life similar to what worker
could have obtained living in Doha.
7- Political Consideration
Qatar offers an efficient infrastructure of roads, seaports, airport, and
industrial cities equipped with all the facilities and advanced
telecommunications networks and all the related services with the latest
modern technologies. Qatar enjoys a stable political and social structure
which makes it an ideal destination for investors from all over the world.
8- Land Arability
It is vital to think ahead and consider future possibilities including expansion.
Therefore, location with an enlargement potential should be chosen. The
three cities have considered this part where all of them have master plan.
9- Availability of Labor
The Availability of labor is highly important since they will be needed in the
constructions of the plant and the operations. For any plant both unskilled
and skilled workers are needed such as electricians and welders. Since the
three cities have enormous numbers of workers, they are equally scored in
this term.

Figure 5-Oil and gas fields in Qatar