Partnerships drive ideas, innovations in Qatar

David Paganie
Managing Editor

DOHA, Qatar -- The establishment of partnerships in Qatar has lead to the generation of great ideas and innovations in the industry, said Said Mubarak Al-Mohannadi, director of operations, Qatar Petroleum. Al-Mohannadi gave the opening day Keynote Address at Offshore Middle East in Doha, Qatar.

Al-Mohannadi pointed to a few examples to support his point. Maersk set a world record this year in horizontal drilling at 36,000 ft in the DB-04 well. Oxy has acquired the first 3D-4C seismic survey in Qatar and has installed the first visualization center. This technology enables improved reservoir characterization and the development of more accurate geologic and reservoir simulation models, Al-Mohannadi said.

And Pearl GTL, the largest gas project in the world, will help Qatar meet its aspiration to be the GTL capital of the world, he said. Qatar, recording 25% GDP growth in 2007, already is the world's largest producer of LNG from the largest single non-associated gas field in the world, North field.

"It was oil production in the last two decades that fueled this gas boom," Al-Mohannadi said. Current oil production is from nine fields – one onshore (Dukhan) and eight offshore. Maersk-operated Al Shaheen is the largest offshore producing field.

"One area we still have to work on together is developing our young talent to meet the needs of our industry," he said. Qatar's investments include Qatar Foundation through Education City, and Qatar Science and Technology Park, which is scheduled to open in March 2009.

"Our partnerships in Qatar have lead to major innovations in the industry and we need to work together to tackle the challenges and ensure a bright future that lies ahead with everybody's participation," Al-Mohannadi said.

10/28/2008