Barzan gas project to fuel Qatar development plans

HE the Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada was recently briefed about business and construction activities being executed by engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies such as Chiyoda, Japan Gas Company (JGC) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) particularly in relation to the Barzan Gas Project in Qatar. The briefing was done when al-Sada and senior Qatari officials visited Japan and South Korea. He was accompanied by RasGas managing director Hamad Rashid al-Mohannadi. One of the most significant projects reviewed was the Barzan Gas Project. The onshore portion of the project, which is being executed by JGC, is currently transitioning into its peak construction period, which will involve more than 20,000 workers in Ras Laffan, Qatar. The offshore portion of Barzan is proceeding on two major fronts with wellhead platform fabrication in progress in South Korea and pipeline installation in progress in Qatar. “The Barzan Gas Project is strategically important for Qatar as it will not only fuel major development projects, but also directly contribute to the Qatar National Vision 2030 laid down by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. RasGas is committed to the safe completion of this project within budget and on schedule,” al- Mohannadi said. “Our focus is not only on the construction, development and operation of major ventures like this but we are also very committed to the development of people. The Barzan Gas Project involves a total of 32 Qataris participating in a long-term professional development programme in Ulsan, South Korea and Yokohama, Japan,” he added. When completed and fully operational, a major portion of the Barzan gas supplies will be used by the power and water generation sectors. It will also provide clean, natural gas to support several of Qatar’s new projects that are underway, ranging from the New Doha International Airport to the 2022 World Cup infrastructure projects. “We are proud that RasGas has been entrusted by shareholders, QP and ExxonMobil, to design, construct and operate one of the largest and technologically advanced gas projects in the region. This demonstrates the trust and confidence that RasGas has gained over the years and the excellent reputation it has maintained with its customers, stakeholders and contractors worldwide. This is the direct result of the hard work, dedication and commitment of RasGas’ staff and the great support received from al-Sada and our shareholders, QP and ExxonMobil. The first phase of the Barzan Project will be completed in 2014,” al- Mohannadi, who as leading the RasGas delegation, said.