Abu Dhabi, 9 May 2007 (WAM)-- Dolphin Energy Limited of Abu Dhabi, developer of the strategic Dolphin Gas Project, has signed a three-year Microsoft Enterprise agreement with ITQAN, the leading total systems integrator in the region and local 'gold partner' of Microsoft.

Dolphin will begin transmission of substantial quantities of refined natural gas from Qatar to the UAE in June 2007 and its IT operations are being upgraded accordingly.

"The 'Microsoft Enterprise Agreement' provides Dolphin Energy with a simple business solution, enabling the company to acquire software and receive support services. It also provides Dolphin access to new software upgrades as they become available," Feras Al Jabi, General Manager of ITQAN, said.

Al Jabi said that the 'Enterprise Agreement' helps companies to remain technologically up-to-date in a cost-effective manner.

It enables the customer to upgrade and migrate to newer versions of software without buying a new license.

"There are also other advantages to signing this agreement.

For example, Dolphin employees will get access to newer softwareversions as they are introduced in the market. They will also be updated with the skills needed for the upgraded versions," Al Jabi added.

Under the agreement, Dolphin employees will be enabled to work from home, maximizing the value of the company's software investment.

It will also offer added protection against viruses and other computerhazards, Al Jabi said. "In addition, it will provide a common e-mail solution that will support enhanced communication across the company," he explained.

The enterprise agreement usually provides the client with a standardand professional desktop configuration to include the Windows OperatingSystem, Microsoft Office, and the Core Client Access licenses. Underthe agreement, the users will also have access to the full suite of Microsoft Office Automation products.

Dolphin Energy Executive Vice President Operations Ibrahim Al Ansarisaid: "Dolphin Energy is in a key stage of its development, as we preparefor transmission of our own gas from Qatar to the UAE for the first time.

We value the new agreement and we expect it to help the company improveefficiency and enhance productivity."