Qatar became the world’s largest LNG producer and exporter in the last month, achieving its long-term goal of delivering 77 million tonnes of LNG production capacity per annum.
At an official ceremony today, the State of Qatar celebrated achieving 77 million tonnes per annum (Mta) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity, reconfirming the country’s position as the world’s leading producer of LNG with the largest production capacity – by far.
This momentous feat realises the vision of His Highness, the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, who set the target for the end of 2010.
The 77 Mta Celebration Event, which was the State’s highest profile energy industry event this year, was held at Ras Laffan Industrial City under the patronage and presence of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and was hosted by His Excellency Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, and Chairman of Qatar Petroleum.
Some 1200 VIP guests from around the world, including the 23 countries to which Qatar currently exports LNG, attended. The guest list included local and overseas ministers, industry leaders and senior executives from the world’s leading energy companies, as well as contributions from the world of art, media, entertainment and sport.
His Excellency Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah said: “I would like to congratulate His Highness the Emir, and the people of the State of Qatar on this momentous occasion which demonstrates Qatar’s growing role in delivering LNG to the world.”
“The State of Qatar promised to realise the vision of His Highness the Emir for Qatar to reach LNG production capacity of 77 million tonnes of LNG per annum by the end of 2010. This milestone brings to fruition years of investment in infrastructure and expertise which has enabled us to go from zero to 77 Mta in a mere 14 years. Qatar today has invaluable credentials as a key innovator in the global LNG market, with a reputation for delivering LNG to global markets safely, reliably, and efficiently”.
Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Thani, CEO, Qatargas, said: “Qatargas is very proud to be able to make a significant contribution towards realising His Highness the Emir’s vision for the State of Qatar to achieve 77 Mta of LNG production capacity by the end of 2010. Since delivering our first LNG cargo 14 years ago, Qatargas has followed a remarkable, well planned course of growth and expansion, thanks to the guidance and support from His Excellency the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah.”
“Today’s celebration underlines Qatar’s position as the world leader in LNG. Qatar has an important role to play in the energy security of countries across the globe to which we deliver and we are committed to delivering our LNG to customers safely and reliably.
On this historic occasion, I would like to thank and congratulate the employees of Qatargas for their contributions towards this achievement. I would also like to thank all our shareholders for their support.
Our thanks are also due to all our contractors involved in the construction and maintenance of our facilities”.
Speaking about what the achievement meant to the industrial areas in which the majority of the onshore project is housed, Abdulaziz Al Muftah, Director, Ras Laffan Industrial City was in jubilant mood.
“Ras Laffan, since its inception, has been developed as the hub of the gas industry in Qatar. It has world class infrastructure, facilities, utilities and services.
Ras Laffan Port is the world’s largest LNG exporting facility. I believe that this a glorious moment for Qatar, its people and the energy industry and will provide a bright and prosperous future for generations to come,” said Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, RasGas’ Managing Director said: “Reaching 77 Mta of LNG production capacity by the end of 2010 is a defining moment in Qatar’s history as a gas producing and exporting nation and RasGas is proud to have played a significant role in this success.”
“As we developed our industrial infrastructure, as we increased our production capacity, and as we grew our business in markets around the world, we were guided by the overarching vision of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and steered wisely, year by year, by His Excellency Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry.”
RasGas – and Qatar – has proved itself to be a secure, reliable supplier of LNG, with an excellent record of delivering projects on budget and on schedule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Board of Directors, shareholders and RasGas employees, as well as our customers and contractors, for their continued support and dedication to making Qatar’s 77 Mta production capacity a reality”.
Plaudits came in from senior industry figures from around the world for the historic achievement. “Through being shareholders in Qatargas 4 and our contributions to Qatargas Operating Company and Nakilat, Shell is proud to play its part in supporting Qatar in this achievement which brings more natural gas, the cleaner-burning fossil fuel, to more people around the world,” said Peter Voser, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell.
Jim Mulva, Chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips added: “ConocoPhillips is proud of our participation in the Qatargas 3 project. It increases our company’s global LNG output, while contributing to Qatar’s achievement of reaching total LNG production capacity of 77 million tonnes per annum. During the five years of development work, we have enjoyed the opportunity to establish close, collaborative relationships with Qatargas, Qatar Petroleum and the people of Qatar.”
Christophe de Margerie, CEO of Total, said: “Total is honored and proud to be associated with Qatar’s LNG development from the very outset and to share this unbelievable adventure with our Qatari partner.” HE Al Attiyah added: “The 77 Mta achievement is a very significant moment in Qatar’s history and none of this would have been possible without the visionary leadership of The Emir who envisioned the transformation of the Ras Laffan into the largest LNG export hub in the world.”
Qatar’s LNG Fast Facts
- The country pioneered the use of Q-Flex and Q-Max carriers, the biggest and most efficient LNG ships in the world.
- Qatar was also the first in the world to develop the world’s first fully integrated LNG value chain with the commissioning of the Qatargas 2 project in 2009 as a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil and Total. One element of this project was the construction of the South Hook regasification terminal in Wales, UK – the largest LNG receiving terminal in Europe and the first investment by the State of Qatar in the downstream gas business.
- The synergies of the Qatargas 2 project were replicated in the Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited 3 project with a further regasification terminal at Golden Pass, Texas, which is a duplication of the South Hook terminal using best practices and replicating its step out innovation and technologies.
- Another major achievement for Qatar was the development of the Adriatic LNG Terminal off the coast of Italy in partnership with ExxonMobil and Edison. This is the world’s first offshore gravity based structure for unloading, storing and regasifying LNG and is capable of meeting up to ten percent of Italy’s current natural gas needs. This terminal recently won the Platts Energy Award 2010 for Best Infrastructure Project of the Year.
