Qatar Lubricants (QALCO) is owned by Qatar Industrial Services Establishment (QIS). It is situated within the port area at Mesaieed, built on land leased from Qatar Petroleum. It is the first and only lubricant’s blending plant in the state of Qatar, with undertakings given that no further licenses will be granted for similar projects.

The Plant, of modern design, utilizes the computerized Automated Batch Blending (ABB) system. All equipments is to the highest industry standards.

A base oil tank farm of 6,000 tonnes capacity has the advantage of the tankage linked to excellent deep water berthing facilities by two dedicated pipelines.

The plant has a design capacity of 20,000 tonnes per annum per single shift. The US $ 16 million plants was built on a turnkey basis by international specialist contractors in collaboration with local construction company, Petroserv.

A state-of-the-art laboratory complements the plant with the latest equipment, including atomic absorption. Qualified and experienced chemists check all lubricant output daily and external analysis work is also undertaken. Submissions have been made to the Department of Consumer Affairs (Ministry of Finance, Economy & Commerce) which should lead to accreditation; thus Government work. This sector potential will be developed to the maximum.

Before operations began, a technical services agreement was considered and discussed in detail with a number of international oil companies from U.S.A, France, U.K and Italy. It was finally decided to work closely with Lubrizol, the large American oil additives company. This not only gave immediate access to the latest industry techniques, but also flexibility and independence allied to substantial cost savings.

The Lubricant’s market in any county is very competitive, Qatar is no exception. For decades, major international lubricant supplier has been represented by well established local agents. Other market factors include products from G.C.C, exporters which are duty free while others a bare 4%, QALCO, therefore, faced a hostile marketing situation with traditional built-in-resistance to a newcomer.

The corporate marketing strategy was to enter the retail automotive market with basis products whilst, at the same time, increasing product credibility in the commercial sector as the product range was extended and new additives were received.

The industrial sector was defined as predominantly Ministers and large Government organizations being supplied by tender.

QALCO obtained a health share of this market sector by product excellence, advertising and promotion activity in spite of fierce competition and imports of low specification products. QALCO continues to work with the Department of Consumer Protection, Ministry of Finance, Economy and Commerce, on the establishment of a Qatar Lubricants Standard aimed at eliminating substandard imports and upgrading market criteria.

The use of high quality virgin base oil with Lubrizol additives enabled QALCO to qualify for a number of American Petroleum Institutes’ (API), Service Classifications. Additionally, QALCO has been granted important approvals from Daimler-Chrysler and Volvo. Other submissions are being processed. By offering its products for testing under controlled conditions followed by used oil analysis, QALCO usage approvals were granted by numerous organizations. These include:- The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW), The Interior Ministry, Qatar Armed Forces, Government Sand Plant, NODCO (QGPC), U.S.Military, Caterpiller, Qatar.

QALCO followed up its success in obtaining significant approvals by winning competitive tenders. Accepted tenders include:- Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, Interior Ministry, Qatar Fuel Additives Company (QAFAC), Qatar Steel Company (QASCO), Qatar Armed Forces (QALCO appointed main lubricants supplier), Government Sand Plant, Qatar Sand Plant, Qatar Sand Treatment Plant, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Telecom (Q-tel).

QALCO has established a reputation for unmatched technical support and liaison with customers thus ensuring correct choice and applications of lubricants. Coupled with trouble-shooting and service planning, QALCO’s initial objectives to become an indispensable part of the industrial mix has been achieved. A very satisfactory market share has been secured in a relatively short period of operation, QALCO’s products are second to none in the industry and fully supported by technical representatives and engineers – new and appreciative customers include Doha International Airport and Chiyoda Corporation.