Sirte Oil Company - SOC Petrochemical Complex

SOC Petrochemical Complex

SOC's petrochemical complex is located near Brega. It consists of six plants: The combined production capacity for the three products is 6,950 mtpd. All products are marketed by the Brega Marketing Company.

• Methanol plants (2): each having a capacity of 1,000 mtpd (1978 and 1985)
• Ammonia plants (2): one having a capacity of 1,000 mtpd and other with a capacity of 1,200 mtpd (1978 and 1983)
• Urea plants (2): one having a capacity of 1,000 mtpd and another with a capacity of 1,750 mtpd (1981 and 1984).

• Methanol Production: Uses natural gas from SOC’s gas fields for raw material. This product is vital for the production of many chemical compounds and is also used as fuel for some machinery in addition to its use in making protein for animal food products. Most of the methanol produced from the two plants is exported.

• Ammonia Production: SOC’s ammonia-producing plant first converts natural gas (i.e. methane) into gaseous hydrogen. Starting with a natural gas feedstock, the first step in the process entails removal of sulfur compounds from the feedstock, because sulfur deactivates the catalysts used in subsequent steps. Ammonia is produced in liquid form at a temperature of -33°C. Ammonia is used especially in the manufacturing of nitrogen fertilizers, one of which is urea fertilizer. Most of the production is used in making urea fertilizer. The remaining ammonia is usually exported.

• Urea Production: Urea is manufactured from ammonia, which comes from SOC’s two ammonia plants. SOC’s urea quality is considered among the top quality nitrogen fertilizers. A large proportion of the production is exported in large quantities or packaged in 50 kg bags. This fertilizer contributes to Libya’s agricultural projects. It is also used for manufacturing animal food, insecticides as well as formaldehyde production. Attached to the urea plants are three stores each with a storage capacity of 35,000 tons.