The Qatar Shell GTL (Gas to Liquids) project got off to a good start on 14th February with the spudding of the first of two appraisal wells in Qatar's massive North Field. This is the largest gas field in the world and Shell expects to produce 1.6 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day to use as feedstock in a world-class GTL plant. This will be built at Ras Laffan and is scheduled to begin production in 2007 using Shell Middle Distillates Synthesis (SMDS) technology.

"Saudi Aramco is truly proud of its relationship with shell, and that cuts across the whole business," says Khalid Al-Falih, Vice President of New Business Development at Saudi Aramco Chairman of the new South Rub Al Khali Company Limited (SRAK).