The demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to increase in the near future as many countries are planning to reduce nuclear energy use in the wake of the destruction of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant sparking a nuclear crisis in Japan, Qatargas Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani said.
Speaking to QNA, Sheikh Khalid said that Qatargas has committed to supply for one year (from April, 16, 2011) additional LNG volumes equivalent to 60 plus conventional LNG cargoes to Japan, thereby commiting to support long-term Japanese customers. Qatargas supplies a total of 6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG from Qatargas 1 to Japan under long term contracts. The first shipment of LNG was delivered to Japan in 1997.
On the possibility of exporting additional 3 million tonnes of LNG to Japan, Sheikh Khalid said such decision could be determined by the Japanese government?s policy during the next phase in terms of increasing or decreasing the country?s reliance on nuclear energy.
He said that Qatargas would increase LNG shipments to Dubai, The first the first cargo was despatched in December 2006 through a Q-Flex vessel with LNG produced from Qatargas 2. In 2008 Qatargas, Shell and Dubai Supply Authority signed a series of agreements under which LNG would be supplied to the Authority primarily from Qatargas 4 from 2011.
On exporting additional LNG cargo to Japan over the next 12 months, Sheikh Khalid said: ?Qatargas is doing all it can to support Japan?s requirement for stable supplies of energy. Qatargas is uniquely placed to help Japan during its moment of need and the speed at which Qatargas has been able to secure additional LNG supplies for Japan is a testament of our flexibility and commitment to our long-term customers.?
Outlining expansion plans, Sheikh Khalid said: ?Qatargas? overall investment to date is around $36bn. Total investment between 2011 and 2017 will be around $4.5bn. This includes the Jetty Boil Off Gas (JBOG) project, Laffan Refinery?s Receiving and Loading Facility Project (RALF), Laffan Refinery 2, Diesel Hydro Treator (DHT) and Helium 2.?
He said: ?We are in the process of debottlenecking the existing facility LR-1 and adding extra capacity without major investment. The expansion of refinery?s portfolio supports Qatar?s vision of improving product distribution domestically and fully complies with international customers? demands for cleaner fuel products.?
The Qatargas CEO said that the Helium 2 project is slated to start production in 2013. ?Production is targeted for early 2013. When completed it will be the largest facility of such kind in the world. The EPS contract has been awarded to Air Liquide with whom we have a sales and purchase agreement for 50 percent of the production, 30 percent with Linde Gases and 20 percent with Iwatani Corporation. Helium sales are expected to reach 1.3 billion cubic feet per year.?
On LNG exports to the UK and its partnership with Centrica, Sheikh Khalid said: ?Qatar supplied the UK with 15 percent of its total gas demand which will go up to 50 percent by 2025. Our partnership with Centrica is significant. It underscores Qatargas? commitment to the UK as one of key gas markets.?
As regards marketing, he said: ?Qatargas has existing long-term supply contracts around the world. Asia, with its large importers like Japan, China and India, continues to be an important market for us. Qatargas is focused on meeting its commitments to all its customers, including those in the UK and US.?
Speaking on the role of receiving terminals, Sheikh Khalid said: ?Qatargas has invested in long term capacity creation through the construction of large mega-trains and ships to transport our LNG efficiently; building of terminal capacity in different markets such as the UK (South Hook) and US (Golden Pass). This creates flexibility and capacity in these markets. By securing access to the liquid gas markets of the US and the UK, Qatar was able to rapidly expand its LNG production. Our terminals in the UK and US provide us with tremendous opportunity. These terminals will also facilitate increased deliveries of LNG to the UK and US as and when the market requires it.?
At present Qatargas does not have plans for any new receiving terminal. The responsibility for future investments in overseas energy related infrastructure lies with Qatar Petroleum International (QPI), he said. On matching global environment standards, Sheikh Khalid said: ?Qatargas is focused on reducing emissions to the lowest levels possible to meet international standards.
?Qatargas is currently undertaking the Jetty Boil-Off Gas Recovery Project, (JBOG) which will minimise LNG boil-off gas flaring at LNG berths by making productive use of the gas that boils off during loading of LNG carriers at the Ras Laffan Port. Besides, the existing Qatargas 1 operations we have recently completed a slew of significant NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) reduction projects, with direct benefits to air quality in the region and the new mega-trains have been designed with highly sophisticated NOx mitigation equipment, which easily meet the new strict Ministry of Environment NOx emission limits.
?The mega-train design and operating philosophy allows for substantial reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne of LNG produced versus conventional LNG train technology. Qatargas also has an established track record in dealing with mitigating and offsetting environmental effects of its projects, such as the QG2 and QG3&4 coral translocation and other biodiversity initiatives which we have developed or are proactively involved with on a voluntary basis.
?Qatargas is concerned with promoting environmental education and awareness and as part of its corporate citizenship initiatives and we are actively involved with local schools and environmental organisations to promote the message of environmental protection and management.?
Qatar is proactive on sustainable development and environment concerns. It is one of the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. Pursuing this initiative, Qatar had suggested to the World Trade Organisation on exempting gas and its byproducts from customs duties. Other Gulf states, too, are pushing for this. Commenting on this, Sheikh Khalid said: ?As the world?s largest LNG producer Qatar supports this wholeheartedly. From a Qatargas perspective, I feel the WTO should pay attention to this initiative given the significant environment value it possesses and the impact it will have on reducing our carbon footprint.?
Speaking about the importance of Qatar hosting the World Gas Conference (WGC) in 2018, the Qatargas CEO said: ?The significance for us is that this event has never been held in the Middle East. One of the features of the conference is to provide a post-conference technical tour. We can provide the delegates a visit to the largest LNG facilities in the world. We have taken steps to set up an internal WGC bid committee comprising our marketing and public relations staff. This committee is working towards the required activities associated with the bid.?
In March, Qatargas received the Green Award for its LNG carriers at the 25th Gastech Conference & Exhibition in Amsterdam, one of the premiere platforms in the global gas calendar. This is a global recognition to Qatargas LNG carriers in promoting safe and environmentally responsible shipping, he said, and added that Qatargas charters from Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd a total of 13 Q-Max, 19 Q-Flex LNG carriers in addition to 18 other LNG carriers.
(thepeninsulaqatar)
Source: thepeninsulaqatar, June 13, 2011; Image: qatargas
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Source: http://www.lngworldnews.com/qatargas-sees-rising-lng-demand-qatar/
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