Qatar Gas opens new LNG market with Dubai cargo

07 Dec 2010 PETROLEUM BAZAAR

Al Bahia delivering the cargo at the LNG terminal in Jebel Ali port Qatargas has opened a new market for Qatari liquefied natural gas as the Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) has completed the commissioning phase of its new LNG terminal in Jebel Ali port.
The commissioning was completed by the delivery of the first cargo on a Q-Flex vessel with LNG produced from Qatargas 2 and sold to Shell. The gas will be injected into the DUSUP’s distribution system for local supply.
In 2008 Qatargas, Shell and the DUSUP had signed a series of agreements under which LNG would be supplied to the DUSUP, primarily from Qatargas 4. The supplies could commence next year.
Commenting on the milestone, Qatargas CEO Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani said, “We are proud of this accomplishment and of our relationship with Shell and the DUSUP, especially as it comes weeks ahead of Qatar’s grand celebration of achieving a combined LNG production capacity of 77mn tonnes per year.
“Qatargas, under the guidance and leadership of HE the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, Abdulla bin Hamad al-Attiyah continues to seek diversification in its markets, including those in the Middle East. Qatargas is positioned to be a principal LNG supplier to the Middle East.”
Sheikh Khalid said Shell and the DUSUP are premier customers and this is an important milestone for the Dubai project. “Qatargas is honoured to have provided LNG to facilitate the cooling down and commissioning of the Golar Freeze at Ras Laffan in September and to have delivered the first cargo to Dubai,” he said.
The LNG carrier ‘Al Bahiya’ reached Jebel Ali Port in late November and berthed alongside the DUSUP’s Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Golar Freeze, which is now permanently moored at the port. “I am proud that Shell is part of this innovative development, which cements Qatar’s position as the world’s leading LNG supplier and also help underpin Dubai’s growth for years to come,” said Andy Brown, Shell’s executive vice-president. Courtesy:GULF TIMES