OME 2013: Qatar energy minister addresses opening of Offshore Middle East Conference & Exhibition
Offshore staff
DOHA, Qatar –Qatar’s Minister of Energy & Industry H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada addressed the Opening Plenary session of the 2013 Offshore Middle East Conference & Exhibition at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Speaking on Monday, Jan. 21, the minister said that the biggest challenge facing the oil and gas upstream industry is the need for new ideas, paradigms, and technology, particularly in the offshore sector.
He also said that the Middle East is expected to be one of the main offshore growth regions, with capex going up almost 80% from 2011 to 2016.
Speaking on Qatar specifically, al-Sada said,“In future, we aim to maximize Qatar’s marine crude oil production while optimizing operations and adopting the latest suitable technology, with a specific emphasis on efficiency, cost effectiveness, safety and the environment.”
Looking ahead, al-Sada said Qatar is in the process of working to double production at the offshore BulHunain oil field to 90,000 b/d, with the engineering phase under way now. As to offshore natural gas, construction of the largest wellhead platforms to date in the North Field of the Barzan offshore gas project. Completion is expected in 2014.
With almost 48% of the world’s oil reserves, al-Sada said, the Middle East will continue to grow steadily to support the growth in regional population, income, and developments.
1/22/2013
