The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurating Qatargas 2 in Ras Laffan yesterday. SYED OMAR

by Nasser Al Harthy

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani formally inaugurated Qatargas 2, the world’s first fully integrated value chain liquefied natural gas (LNG) venture, in Ras Laffan yesterday marking a historic moment for Qatar.

His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, witnessed the inauguration on behalf of the United Kingdom.

A number of high level officials from Qatar and the United Kingdom were present at the function including the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, other senior officials from Qatar Petroleum and Mike O’Brian, QC MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change. Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent a message via video congratulating Qatar on this historic occasion.

Qatargas 2 is the culmination of Qatargas’ historic project to create a fully integrated value chain. The LNG Trains represent a 50 percent increase on any performance previously achieved in the global energy industry.

Combined, Qatargas 2 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 terminal in Milford Haven, Wales.

The main destination for the LNG will be the specially built South Hook terminal located in the deep-water port of Milford Haven, United Kingdom. From there the gas will find its way to customers in the UK natural gas market. Qatargas 2 is capable of providing up to 20 percent of the UK’s natural gas needs.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister said: “In Qatar, we are proud that we are able to call the people of the United Kingdom both partners and friends, and Qatargas 2 is yet another example of the positive relationship between our countries. We are pleased to help meet the growing demand for natural gas and to ensure safe and secure supply lines from Ras Laffan to homes throughout the United Kingdom.”

He also said that Qatar is a nation that is preparing for a robust future by unlocking the creative and economic potential of its people through the implementation of some of the most advanced educational initiatives and cultural establishments.

Qatar eyes cost cuts on energy projects

RAS LAFFAN: Qatar would like to see costs on three energy projects cut by as much as 40 percent, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah said yesterday. “We are looking to cut costs by 20 to 30 percent,” the Minister said. “But 40 percent would be better.”

Qatar has delayed projects to build the Shaheen refinery, the Mesaieed Aromatics plant and to develop the Barzan gas field as it looks to take advantage of a slump in the price of raw materials to drive down costs.