RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) has successfully launched several pace-setting emission reduction initiatives across its value chain, ranging from flare minimisation to a new Greenhouse Gas Policy (GHG) reduction policy. The Company today released its 2011 Sustainability Report which provides a comprehensive review of its environmental, social, economic and corporate performance for the year 2011.

RasGas is aware that in order to meet the growing energy demand, the Company needs to optimise energy use while minimising wasted energy. The Report highlights RasGas' plans in playing an active role in delivering a lower carbon future.

In its continued commitment to operating in a sustainable manner, RasGas achieved many noteworthy milestones in 2011.

Among these is the development of the Company's first GHG management strategy and policy that includes independent third-party GHG verification, screening of emission reduction opportunities, engagement with local stakeholders and assessment of options for developing our voluntary reporting. 

Among RasGas' efforts to reduce emissions, the Company continued to operate the region's first acid injection (AGI) scheme that stores CO2 and hydrogen sulphide (H2S), reducing emissions of CO2 and sulphur dioxide (SO2) from the production process. This has resulted in eliminating 1 million tonnes per year of CO2 and 11,000 tonnes of SO2 each year. 

The Company also completed a five-year flare minimisation programme, the first of its kind in Qatar, which resulted in an overall emission reduction of 66 per cent. In addition, in terminal operations, the Jetty Boil-off Gas Recovery Project was designed to minimise flaring at loading terminals in Ras Laffan. 

In shipping, RasGas' use of larger vessels fitted with liquefaction facilities resulted in a reduction in number of voyages required, which cut emissions per nautical mile. Older vessels were retrofitted to use clean LNG as a fuel, reducing direct emissions from the vessels and indirect emissions from refinery production of residual fuels.

Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, Managing Director of RasGas said: "Our 2011 operational results highlight our key strength: the ability to safely and reliably deliver on our commitments. The strong safety and operations performance underpins good environmental performance. In 2011, we invested more than $49 million in projects that reduce emissions and enhance our waste management."

Additionally, the new RasGas headquarters in Doha was recognised as the first LEED-certified commercial interiors project in Qatar for its energy-saving features integrated into the office design. 

In terms of safety, a key RasGas focus, the Company maintained a low lost time incident (LTI) rate of 0.01 in 2011, showing consistent performance improvement over time. RasGas' lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) ranked 85% below the benchmark average of the LTIFR for the 44 companies who participated in the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers benchmarking study.

"We recognise that none of this is possible without the skills and dedication of our people and the community that we live and work in," said Al Mohannadi. 

RasGas' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which focuses on one cornerstone each year, dedicated 2011 to the Year of Health, and CSR-related activities increased by more than 25 per cent in support of a wide range of initiatives involving employees and the community. 

The 2011 Sustainability Report was prepared in accordance with guidelines on sustainability reporting from shareholder company Qatar Petroleum and adopts guidance specific to the oil and gas industry prepared by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA).