Qatari Minister, U.S. Energy Secretary Discuss LNG Exports

Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, of Qatar met in Washington with the U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. The two ministers discussed bilateral ties and cooperation in the energy field as well as a number of issues of importance to both sides.

Minister Al-Sada, who was on a working visit to the United States, held similar talks with senior US government officials, including Ambassador Carlos Pascual, the US State Department’s special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs.

Minister of Energy and Industry had earlier called on key players in the American and Qatari energy industry to seize cooperation opportunities in both countries as well as in other parts of the world.

Al-Sada was speaking at reception dinner hosted in his honour by the US-Qatar Business Council, and was attended by 150 business leaders and policy makers across a wide spectrum of sectors.

During his speech, Al-Sada acknowledged the major contribution of American companies in Qatar’s rapid development, saying that “American companies have been true partners in our success. Their contributions to the entire spectrum of our industry are highly valued.”

Al-Sada also pointed out that Qatar is one of the earliest investors in the American LNG sector. “Qatar Petroleum was there earlier on, when all scenarios and forecasts pointed to the U.S. becoming a net importer of natural gas,” he said. “We are watching all the developments in the American shale gas industry with great interest, especially as rising production and low domestic prices stimulate a switch to natural gas in power generation, and provide many opportunities in the petrochemical and manufacturing industries.”

“It is worth mentioning here that Qatar Petroleum and its partners ExxonMobil are promoting Golden Pass Products.  This is a new LNG exports company with a 10-billion dollar project to build gas liquefaction facilities at its existing terminal site in Golden Pass, Texas. This project is expected to add important export capabilities to serve world markets,” he added.

Al-Sada reiterated the importance of efforts promoting the use of natural gas as a source of clean energy, which opens the way for more investments in this field, contributes to diversifying energy sources, and helps meet the challenges of climate change.

Citing the fact that the hydrocarbon sector accounts for most of US investments in Qatar, Al-Sada said he looks forward to seeing more American investments as Qatar embarks on developing the downstream petrochemical and heavy industries sectors. “This will create opportunities for the production of new intermediate and derivative products, like specialty & performance chemicals, fibers, elastomers, industrial alloys, and so forth. American investments are also welcome in high-importance areas like R&D, knowledge transfer, and technology advancement,” he stressed.

Al-Sada emphasized that Qatar is now moving forward with rejuvenated determination under the leadership of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar. He said “Qatar is a country on the move.  We are not just looking at the future, but we are also investing in it.  We are building institutions; we are building landmarks; and most importantly, we are building human capital and capacity.”

The Minister of Energy and Industry had earlier met with top management and senior executives of major international energy corporations including ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron Phillips Chemical, and Phillips 66.

Minister was accompanied in his visit and meetings by senior executives from Qatar Petroleum, Qatargas, RasGas and Qatar Petroleum International.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, October 03, 2013; Image: QP