May 29, 2005 Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, May 29, 2005 – The Foundation Stone for Abu Dhabi Oil Corporation ’s Gas Processing Plant in Qatar was formally laid today in Ras Laffan Industrial City by HH the Heir Apparent of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
The ceremony was attended by the UAE Minister of Energy, HE Mohammed Bin Dhaen Al Hamli, and by Qatar’s 2nd Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy & Industry, HE Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah – as well as government officials, sheikhs and industry peers from both countries.
It commemorated the construction of the $1.6 billion Gas Processing Plant – which is being built by JGC Corporation of Japan, and supplied with gas turbines by Rolls Royce of UK, under contracts awarded in January 2004.
This facility will process raw gas from Qatar’s North Field – removing valuable by-products such as condensates and LPGs for international sale. The resulting refined gas will then flow over 370 kilometers through Dolphin’s dedicated Export Pipeline to Abu Dhabi, for distribution to customers throughout the UAE.
In his speech to the 500-plus guests, on behalf of the UAE Government, HE Mr Al Hamli emphasized: “Qatari gas is an ideal source of clean, secure and reliable energy for the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi Oil Corporation ’s gas, which will be available in large quantities for a long period of time, will support our current and future industrial growth”
For the Government of Qatar, Mr Al Attiyah stated: “The ADOC Project is an example of the strong cooperation among the GCC nations within the energy industry. It will create economic benefits which will create the potential for further investment. This in turn will create employment opportunities and develop energy markets”