Modern technology gives Qatar edge in global LNG markets: Al-Attiyah

HE al-Attiyah addresses the closing session of the Science and Technology in Society Forum (STS) in Kyoto, Japan.The adoption of modern technology has helped Qatar reduce unit costs to a level unmatched by other liquefied natural gas producers, giving it a competitive edge in global markets, said HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, chairman, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development.“Qatar achieved a fundamental milestone for the LNG industry by scaling up liquefaction trains to a record new level using Air Products’ proprietary APX process technology. Currently, six out of our 14 LNG trains have the capacity of producing 7.8mn tonnes each per year, making them the world’s largest LNG trains ever to be built,” al-Attiyah said in his address at the closing plenary session of the Science and Technology in Society Forum (STS) in Kyoto, Japan. The role of technology in the future of sustainable energy is quite significant given that the environmental implications of meeting the world’s energy demands suggest that energy technologies with near-zero emissions will eventually be required to ensure such sustainability. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for substantial research, development, and initiation of programmes aimed at launching advanced energy technologies. “Some of these technologies are readily available, including the technological revolution in power generation where natural-gas-fired combined cycles is offering low costs, high efficiency and low environmental impact. Modern gas-fired power plants emit 50% less carbon dioxide than coal plants and they are 40% more energy efficient” said al-Attiyah, the former Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry. Emerging innovations offer the potential to use conventional sources of energy, mainly fossil fuels, in ways that are cleaner, more efficient, safer, flexible, and affordable, he said. “In Qatar, we understand that economic development must be based on the implementation of new technology which often involves challenges; however, meeting these challenges has become necessary in order to thrive in an increasingly competitive market,” al-Attiyah said. Entrepreneurs and small companies have the potential to provide innovative solutions. They are the key to unlocking the potential of an even more technology driven energy era. In this regard, the Qatar Science and Technology Park offers a unique business environment for start-up enterprises in the areas of energy, environment, health sciences and ICT.Also, large “research cooperation programmes” have been launched with international corporations and Qatar welcomes new opportunities to take advantage of human ingenuity in the fields of energy and environment. It is becoming increasingly important to develop technologies that enable us to achieve sustainable economic development in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, al-Attiyah said.On the “provision of water”, a topic that was discussed on the first day of the Kyoto event, al-Attiyah said, “This indeed is an emotive subject in the Middle East and one which I believe passionately about. The underlying facts indicate that the provision of water will be one of the great challenges of the twenty first century. Water is essential for life; and if the provision is not solved it may lead to armed conflicts, particularly in my region of the world where water resources are scarce.“So we have our challenges; water, clean energy, freedom from disease, and universal education. I believe many interesting ideas were exchanged and some concerns expressed by the participants in an open and constructive ways that befits this forum.”