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Natural gas, the way forward

December 2011

ExxonMobil Qatar, in partnership with Qatar Petroleum, are developing the world's largest natural gas field not associated with oil, helping to make Qatar the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas to markets across the globe.
Through joint venture partnerships, Exxon- Mobil has helped develop 12 of the 14 LNG facilities which liquefy natural gas, 27 of the world's largest LNG ships to carry it to distant markets, and three terminals where the liquefied gas is regasified and distributed for local use in power plants, factories, and homes. Additionally, they are the only foreign participant in two domestic gas development projects: Al Khaleej Gas and the Barzan Gas Project.

"Around the world, new technologies are expanding production of natural gas and delivering this cleaner-burning fuel to utilities and other customers who need it," says Acting President and General manager of Exxonmobil Qatar Inc, Bart Cahir, "For example, up until relatively recently, natural gas imports were mainly limited to gas that could be transported across borders by pipeline. But because of advances in the technologies used to liquefy natural gas, it can be safely and economically transported by tanker. Today there is a large and growing market for LNG, especially in Europe and Asia-Pacific. A significant amount of this growth has been generated here in Qatar, as it has become the world's preeminent supplier of LNG"

Al Khaleej Gas (AKG), with a total capacity of two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, provides clean natural gas to the domestic market in Qatar. The project was designed in phases to match domestic market growth. In addition to supplying natural gas, AKG also produces substantial quantities of condensate and natural gas liquids, such as ethane, propane and butane, for foreign and domestic customers, such as the Ras Laffan Olefins Complex and other domestic petro-chemical projects under development.

The Barzan Gas Project, in Ras Laffan Industrial City , will help Qatar fuel its economic growth with domestic natural gas supplies. It will produce and process gas from Qatar's North Field to supply gas to power stations and industries in Qatar, ethane to the petrochemicals industry, and associated liquid hydrocarbons for sale into local and international markets. The Barzan Gas Project is expected to supply 1.4 billion cubic feet per day of sales gas with first gas flow planned for late 2014.The project comprises 30 offshore wells, three wellhead platforms and two 32-inch pipelines transporting gas to Ras Laffan Industrial City for processing. The first train of this project is due to come on stream in 2014.

ExxonMobil are very optimistic about the future of natural gas. Based on their Outlook for Energy - an annual analytical document that helps guide the company's global investment decisions - they see demand for energy continue to rise. "In fact, we expect global energy demand in 2030 to be about 35% higher than it was in 2005, even with substantial gains in efficiency," explains Cahir. "This rising demand reflects population growth, improved development and better living standards globally. We project that over the next 20 years approximately, oil, natural gas and coal will remain the dominant energy sources. By 2030, they will provide just under 80% of total energy, only slightly less than today. The fastestgrowing of these will be natural gas, driven in part by rising demand for power generation and a shift away from coal in order to reduce CO2 emissions. By 2030, natural gas will have become the second-largest global fuel, ahead of coal."

20th WPC

"We are honoured to support Qatar as the WPC's first regional host," continues Cahir.

"As the world's energy needs continued to grow at a very rapid pace, Qatar had the vision to implement important innovations in LNG technology and market development which have led to Qatar's unprecedented expansion and success. We believe our joint success is a testament to what is possible when national and international energy companies work together. We are committed to constructive dialogue with policy makers and others within governments and non-government organisations to find solutions to the challenge created by increases in energy demand that come with improved living standards, while ensuring that we protect the environment."

© Qatar Today 2011