Qatargas Chief Operating Officer – Administration, Ghanim Al-Kuwari, delivered a speech at the inaugural session of the second Doha Carbon and Energy Forum, being held under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Qatar National Convention Centre from 11 – 13 November.

Qatargas is a strategic sponsor of the forum that brings together international, regional, and Qatari experts to discuss current emerging and innovative technologies in Carbon capture and storage, alternative energy and energy efficiency.

Mr. Al-Kuwari’s speech outlined the current and future developments in the State of Qatar with regard to carbon capture and storage, climate change, alternative fuels and energy efficiency. 

On the topic of Carbon capture and storage he said: 
“Carbon capture and storage can have a critical role to play in managing our carbon footprint.  There are demonstration projects in several countries with research and development ongoing at multiple levels.  Qatar has also formed the Qatar Carbonates and Carbon Storage Research Centre and is funding a $70 million, 10-year research partnership between Shell, Qatar Petroleum, Imperial College of London and the Qatar Science and Technology Park.  The center will help build Qatar’s capacity in Carbon Capture and Storage”

Highlighting the efforts by the State of Qatar in terms of energy efficiency he said:
“Qatar Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016 aim at reducing the energy intensity of electricity consumption through awareness campaigns, standardization; and seasonal equipment maintenance shutdowns. Qatar through ongoing studies, innovation within its industrial sector and extensive flare reduction programmes is contributing towards enhancing energy efficiency.  Research is also ongoing within the private and education domain to increase understanding related to energy efficiency.”

Mr. Al-Kuwari also underlined Qatargas’ efforts in reducing its carbon footprint stating:
“We in Qatargas are very much aligned with the State of Qatar’s vision to contribute to reducing our carbon footprint and we are doing so via initiatives such as reduced flaring, greenhouse gas management strategy, by exploring carbon capture and storage and revising energy efficiency studies in collaboration with Qatar Petroleum.  We are committed towards a sustainable environment and look forward to gaining valuable insights, to better understand ways of managing our emissions from the distinguished experts who have assembled here.”

The Doha Carbon DCEF, organized jointly by Qatar Foundation, Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil Qatar, provides a platform for a select panel of experts to discuss energy and greenhouse gas challenges facing Qatar and the wider region.  Discussions during the Forum will fall under three pillars: reviewing state of the art scientific research and development; policies and regulation; and practical industrial applications to mitigate and adapt to the risks of climate change, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2011-2016.

The Forum builds on the pioneering work of the inaugural 2010 event by establishing Qatar as a champion of government and industrial partnerships to explore technological solutions to the challenge of providing the world with energy while mitigating the impacts of energy production and use.