Qatargas Shares Its Views on Global LNG Market at Gastech

Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG producer, has presented two papers at the Gastech 2014 Conference & Exhibition, which is being held until at the Korea International Exhibition Centre in Seoul.

Alaa Abujbara, Qatargas chief operating officer (Commercial and Shipping), presented a paper titled “Qatargas perspectives on the evolving commercial trends in the global LNG business”.

Abujbara’s presentation gave an overview of Qatargas, including the company’s structure, some of the key milestones reached and marketing activities. He also elaborated on Qatargas views on the LNG market, addressing both supply and demand in key LNG markets. He talked about the future of Qatargas’ marketing activities, especially those related to Asia.

Highlighting the commitment of Qatargas to working with its customers to open up new LNG markets, he said: “Each year, Qatargas has responded to market trends and signed new supply commitments.

“In recent years, we have participated in the commissioning of 12 new regasification terminals. We also signed several new long-term LNG supply contracts with Asian buyers in response to changing market conditions.”

In December 2012, Qatargas concluded a sales and purchase agreement for 2 million tonnes of LNG per annum to meet Thailand’s growing energy needs. In 2013, Qatargas delivered Qatar’s first ever LNG cargoes to Singapore and Malaysia.

Summing up Qatargas views on the global LNG market, Abujbara said: “Asian and global LNG demand will continue to grow robustly. Qatargas has successfully demonstrated a willingness and ability to market our LNG into Asia through a variety of means, including commissioning cargoes, spot cargoes, short-term and long-term volumes.

“Qatargas’ unique value proposition, as a reliable long-term supplier of clean energy with volumes available today, will allow us to continue to meet global and Asian energy needs for many decades.”

Thomas Hale, senior cryogenic engineer, presented a technical paper at the conference titled “Main engine gas injection (ME-GI): converting large 2-stroke diesels to dual fuel” regarding the pilot project developed recently by Qatargas and RasGas to enable the slow-speed diesel engines on Q-Flex and Q-Max vessels to burn both heavy fuel oil and gas at high pressure.

The paper provided an overview of the project, the particular safety and operational challenges associated with the project and the rationale behind the proposed conversion.