Emir inaugurates Qatargas 2 at Ras Laffan

DOHA It was a historic moment when the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani inaugurated Qatargas 2, the world’s first fully integrated value chain liquefied natural gas (LNG) project amidst pomp and show at Ras Laffan City on Monday.

The inauguration, representing a milestone in Qatar’s advancement in LNG production and supply, was witnessed by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, and Britain’s Minister of State for Energy and Climate Mike O’Brian.

They represented the United Kingdom at the function. At the outset of the ceremony some verses from the holy Qur’an were recited followed by an illustrative film about Qatargas and Ras Laffan industrial city was shown and another one on the company’s vision. A detailed explanation was also presented on the production operations of the aforesaid project. Qatargas 2 is the culmination of Qatargas’ historic project to create a fully-integrated value chain. The LNG Trains represent a 50 percent increase in performance previously achieved in the global energy industry.

Qatargas 2 consists of three offshore unmanned platforms, two world-class LNG trains, five storage tanks, two loading berths, a fleet of 14 state-of-theart LNG ships and a receiving terminal in Milford Haven, Wales.

The main destination for the LNG will be the specially built South Hook terminal located in the deep-water port of Milford Haven, United Kingdom. From there the gas will find its way to customers in the UK natural gas market. Qatargas 2 is capable of meeting up to 20 percent of the UK’s natural gas requirement.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad al Attiyah said: “This is an important day for the LNG industry as well as for Qatar. The Qatargas 2 project represents a new source of energy diversity and supply for the United Kingdom and other LNG markets around the world. Qatargas 2 also represents a sizable investment in long-term capacity creation through the construction of these pioneering mega-trains and ships to transport the LNG.”

Highlighting Qatar’s rapid progress, Attiyah said, “As you look around, you see a country that is in progress. We are a nation that is preparing for a robust future by unlocking the creative and economic potential of our people through the implementation of some of the most advanced educational and cultural initiatives. Throughout Qatar you will find achievements that have garnered international acclaim - from the Science and Technology Park to Education City, to the recently opened Museum of Islamic Art. An elated Chief Executive Officer, Qatargas, Faisal al Suwaidi, in his speech thanked the shareholders – Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil and Total who contributed significantly to make the Qatargas 2 project possible. “Many people have worked very hard to deliver this project safely and ensure that it operates safely and reliably in the long-term. My thanks go out to them,” Suwaidi added. At the end of the function a number of Qatargas staff members who have contributed to the project joined HH the Emir on the stage where he praised them for their dedication and hard work. The safety record on the project has been exemplary. The Qatargas 2 project achieved more than 20 million manhours without a single incident of time lost on three separate occasions. This record reflects the strong safety culture in Qatargas that will be a model for the LNG industry and beyond. Later, HH the Emir went round the project and visited the port. At the end of the ceremony, HH the Emir attended the luncheon banquet hosted on the occasion.

In a recorded speech played on the occasion, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown conveyed his greetings to HH the Emir for the success of Qatargas 2 project and hailed the strenuous efforts of all the employees who worked hard to bring such a project to existence. “The completion of such a project reflects the depth of ties between the United Kingdom and the State of Qatar,” Brown said in his message.