Environment 2005 showcases the importance of environment: Says Al Sayegh

ABU DHABI, 28 Jan. 05 (WAM)--Ahmed Al Sayegh, CEOof Dolphin Energy, underlined the importance of holding tomorrowEnvironment Exhibition and Conference 2005 here in Abu Dhabiin achieving best means of friendly sustainable transportation.

Following is the full text of the interview:- 1. The environmental exhibition and conference 2005 will be launchedin Abu Dhabi in the period between January 30th to February 2nd2005, from your point of view, what is the significance of thisenvironmental exhibition? The Environmental Exhibition in 2005 showcases the importanceof the environment, and the positive role that Oil and Gas Companiesplay today, as they seek to undertake their missions withoutdamaging the environment, while contributing to the achievementof sustainable development.

2. What results do you expect from this exhibition and conference?We expect to reinforce Dolphin's commitment to the environmentand ongoing support of environmental initiatives. We are alsopleased to inform the public that we are proud sponsors of aparticularly exciting initiative with the World Wide Fund forNature (WWF) and the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research & WildlifeDevelopment Agency (ERWDA) to undertake conservation of CoralReef Habitats in the Arabian Gulf.

Dolphin Energy is committed to sustainable development and theconservation of the environment in the UAE and Qatar.

3. What are the most important working plans for Dolphin Energyin regard to environment protection in the upcoming phase? As I mentioned earlier, our significant environmental initiativeis the coral reef sponsorship. The goal is to support researchand protection of the major Coral Habitats in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

The project will run from 2005 - 2007, in association with Qatar'sSupreme Council for the Environment and Nature Reserves (SCENR)and Abu Dhabi's Environmental Research and Wildlife DevelopmentAgency (ERWDA). There have been no comprehensive studies aboutthe coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf, and in concluding the project,the study will result in the first comprehensive coral conservationplan for the region: 'Conservation of Coral Reef Habitats ofthe Arabian Gulf.' The plan will include thorough knowledgeof the distribution, status and threats to Gulf coral reefs,preparation of a coral reef conservation plan and publicationof an atlas and identification guide. After the research hasbeen conducted, a Coral Reef Map and Conservation Strategy Documentwill be produced as well as a booklet on Arabian Gulf coral reefdistribution.

I am proud to report that Dolphin has been awarded the 2004Excellence in Energy Award for 'Best in Environment' from PipelineMagazine,the regional energy journal.

The award has been made for the Coral Reef project, and whatgives us all pleasure is that it is based on an open vote bythe readers of Pipeline - our colleagues across the Gulf energyindustry.

4. What are the most important phases Dolphin has gone throughuntil now to raise the profile of the energy sector in the Gulfregion and the UAE in particular? Since the creation of Dolphin Energy and the Dolphin Gas Project,we have passed many milestones -- most important, we are alreadysupplying natural gas from Oman to the Northern Emirates. Thisgoes to Union Water & Electricity Company in Fujairah. In addition,we have also signed Gas Sales agreements with Ras Al Khaimahto supply the Emirate in 2005, as well as the Abu Dhabi Water& Electricity Authority beginning in 2006.

Throughout, Dolphin has maintained a strong commitment to theenvironment, ensuring that all environmental studies are undertakenin a timely manner and to ensure that Dolphin works with contractorswho adhere to our QHSE standards.

5. What are the cooperation fields between Dolphin and the concernedenvironmental establishments in the UAE? Dolphin is extremely proactive in its relationships with environmentalbodies throughout the UAE and Qatar, and recognizes that theindustry and the various environmental authorities are partnersin both sustainable development and protection of the nation'senvironmental resources. Since Dolphin's inception, environmentalawareness has been a cornerstone of our vision and values. Dolphinsubmitted its environmental documents which include base linesurveys, impact assessments and management plans to the concernedauthorities in both the UAE and Qatar, these were approved expeditiouslyby the authorities.

Dolphin maintains close working relationships with UAE Regulatorsfrom the Federal Environmental Agency at a national level, aswell as with environmental agencies and municipalities in eachEmirate.

6. Do you think that environmental awareness in the UAE is ableto achieve the aspirations of the policies to create a real environmentalawareness in all of the society's levels to raise the environment?(Do you think that environmental media coverage in the UAE iscapable of raising awareness locally and bringing about changein line with the leadership's aspirations?)Yes. In recent years the media in the UAE has focused more onenvironmental issues, again, bringing to light that high standardsof environmental excellence are necessary if we are to improvethe quality of life and continue to enjoy our current, privilegedenvironment. I hope that the media will continue to highlightfundamental environmental issues, supporting the efforts of thoseworking in this important sector.