World’s largest gas plant opens in Ras Laffan

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani inaugurated the world’s largest liquefied natural gas project–Qatargas 2 at Ras Laffan yesterday.
The key components of the $13.2bn project are two of the world’s largest LNG trains (with 7.8mn tonnes per year (tpy) capacity each) and associated facilities at Ras Laffan, a fleet comprising 14 super LNG tankers and the regasification facility (terminal) at Wales in the United Kingdom.
Qatargas 2, whose production capacity is 15.6mn tpy, is the culmination of a historic project to create a “fully integrated value chain”. The LNG trains represent a 50% increase on any performance previously achieved in the global energy industry.
The project consists of three offshore unmanned platforms, two world class LNG trains, five storage tanks, two loading berths, a fleet of 14 state-of-the-art LNG ships and a receiving (South Hook) terminal in Milford Haven, Wales.
Qatargas 2 will send its first LNG shipment to the UK within three weeks. On an average, one LNG cargo will be sent from Ras Laffan to the South Hook Terminal every three days.
Some 40 new technologies and 3mn pounds of equipment and systems have been used in the completion of the project. Low emission technology and waste-heat recovery systems are incorporated to reduce emission levels. These innovations have made the Qatargas 2 trains extremely efficient.
Within a decade, Qatargas Operating Company has grown from a company with three trains producing 6mn tonnes of LNG per year with one primary customer, to a global leader in the industry supplying 42mn tonnes per year to markets on three continents.
About 2.9bn cubic feet of gas a day is required to produce 15.6mn tonnes of LNG a year from Qatargas 2. The LNG process involves four stages - offshore, onshore, shipping and distribution.
Qatargas 2 and its owners, Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil and Total, have achieved “several milestones” in the establishment of offshore and onshore facilities in Qatar and shipping and regasification facilities.
The Duke of York, Prince Andrew and HE the Deputy Premier Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, also the Minister of Energy and Industry, were among the dignitaries present at the inauguration.

Original Article from: Gulf Times

Emir to inaugurate world’s largest LNG project today

The world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will be inaugurated today at Ras Laffan. Guests from around the world are travelling to Ras Laffan City to celebrate the historic launch of Qatargas 2 and to witness an innovation in global energy.

The occasion will be marked with the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani officially inaugurating the Qatargas 2 project. Notable guests will include industry representatives from Qatargas’ stakeholders, Qatar Petroleum (QP), ExxonMobil Qatargas II Limited and Total E&P Qatargas II Holdings LTD.

Original Article from: The Peninsula

More expats choose to stay put in Middle East: Survey

A chunk of the expatriate workforce in the Gulf and the Middle East — 36 percent — sees no reason to leave the country of residence on the back of the global meltdown, according to a survey conducted by a leading job site

in the region.

The online poll titled ‘reactions to economic conditions’ was carried out by Bayt.com to assess how employees feel about the impact of the economic crisis on their lives — in terms of work and finances — and elicit their opinion on the likely longevity of the crisis in their country of residence.

The survey conducted between February 8 and March 30, had a total of 22,708 respondents from across the Middle East. Twenty eight percent of the respondents felt that they may have no choice but to return home as a result of the current conditions. Twenty one percent said instead of going back to their country of origin, they would consider moving to a new country, seeking a job.

Unlike previous polls which suggested employees would like to move jobs relatively quickly, the latest data suggested that employees are more willing to stay put, perhaps given the instability. Thirty percent said they would stay for more than 36 months, compared to 22 percent who said they would consider moving in the next three months. Additionally, 15 percent saw themselves staying at their present job for six to 12 months. Interestingly, the economic crisis is having a positive affect on some residents in terms of their savings.

A total of 69 percent said they were saving more money — of which 37 percent said they were saving considerably more — apparently to secure their family’s future in case of further economic instability.

Original Article from: The Peninsula

Singapore office in Doha appoints Centre Director

International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the first Singapore government office in Doha, recently appointed Kenneth Sim as Centre Director.

Sim will be the successor to Feroz Siddiqui, who set up IE Singapore’s office in Doha. Over the last three years, Siddiqui oversaw the growth of bilateral trade between Qatar and Singapore.

Joining IE Singapore last year, Kenneth Sim was overseeing the Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait markets at its headquarters. He formerly worked at the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry doing small and medium enterprise development policies and was the anchor person for the pro-enterprise initiative to implement the Online Business Licensing Service, a one-stop licensing portal for Singapore start-ups and businesses to apply for licenses from more than 30 government agencies.

International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry spearheading the development of Singapore’s external economic wing. Its mission is to promote the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises and international trade.

Original Article from: The Peninsula

ROTA team helps Cambodia orphans

Qatar-based NGO Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) has added one more feather to its cap by organising another successful volunteer trip to Cambodia, in partnership with Education City. The trip, from March 19 to 25, involved ROTA representatives, students and staff from Education City as well as representatives from Qatar Foundation and crew from the Al Jazeera children’s channel.

The volunteers visited the city of Siem Reap to support an ongoing project for the Working for Children (WFC) orphanage in Pouk district. At WFC, the team equipped a library with bookshelves, books and learning materials. They assisted in building a 400-metre fence to stop invasions by wild animals and also engaged in a little bit of gardening. The students also conducted educational workshops and entertainment activities, including face-painting, games, sports activities and English lessons.

A cultural element was the highlight of the volunteer trip — encompassing a Tuc-Tuc tour around Siem Reap, a traditional dance show, and visits to Tonle Sap floating village, Ta Prohm Temple (from the famed Indian Jones movies) and the Temple of Angkor Wat — one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Cambodia suffers from a high drop-out rate in schools. On average, for every 100 students that starts Grade One, only 15 will get to Grade 12, of which only seven students will pass the exams and become eligible to pursue higher education.

The idea for a charity which would reach out to the Asian continent to provide those in need with quality education was conceived by Qatar’s Heir Apparent, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in November, 2005.

Guided by its Chairperson,

H E Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Reach Out To Asia operates as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) within the framework of Qatar Foundation — a private non-profit organisation founded in 1995 by H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.

Qatar Foundation is built on the principle that a nation’s greatest resource is the potential of its people, and it aims to develop that potential internationally through a network of centers devoted to progressive education, research and community welfare.

ROTA’s mission is to extend that assistance into Asia — where it’s strategic geographic location gives it a unique opportunity to support its neighboring countries as they overcome developmental difficulties. In addition, more than 60 percent of Qatar’s own expatriate community is of Asian origin, giving ROTA added insight and understanding of the needs and cultural norms of the Asian people.

Original Article from: The Peninsula