Steps to tackle CO2 emission discussed

Qatar University’s Gas Processing Centre (GPC) has drafted a Carbon Capture and Management road map for the country, vice-president for research Dr Hassan al-Derham has said. “Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is one of the top research priorities for the GPC,” he explained. Dr al-Derham was delivering a welcome address at a two-day high-level workshop on ‘Horizons and Challenges of CCS,’ held recently and attended by a number of local and international experts. “This event is a golden opportunity to discuss and explore solutions for CO2 mitigation in Qatar and also very timely given the ongoing global dialogue on climate change and carbon management,” the official observed. The workshop was part of a series of activities organised by the GPC aimed to promote and explore new research opportunities to support the local gas industry. Oryx GTL, Sasol and Qapco were Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsors. The workshop discussed current trends in CCS and the challenges associated with its implementation in general, and in Qatar in particular.   It also drew attention to the GPC’s CO2 roadmap and identified the major technological barriers hindering its implementation. Event speakers were Professor Malcolm Wilson (Petroleum Technology Research Centre Canada and shared winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize); Prof Michael Scurrell (Wits University, South Africa); Prof Paitoon Tontiwachwuthikul (International Test Centre, Canada);  Professor Colin Snape (University of Nottingham, UK); Professor Dominic Foo (University of Nottingham-Malaysia Campus); David Kawesha (Sasol Research and Technology South Africa); Dr Earl Goetheer (TNO Science and Industry, The Netherlands); Dr Abdelbaki Benamor (QU GPC);  and Dr Mert Atilhan (QU chemical engineering department). The workshop programme included presentations that highlighted high-level perspectives on CO2 capture, storage, utilisation and conversion technologies, particularly current and future trends of relevance to Qatar.   It also included discussion sessions on issues related to CCS technology applications locally. Recommendations emanating from the workshop will be presented to the various stakeholders. GPC director professor Abdelwahab Aroussi stressed the timeliness of the workshop as a precursor to the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP18) of the United Nations Climate Change Conference being held in Qatar from November 26 to December 7. “The workshop goals are in line with the objectives of the COP 18 and the GPC is engaged with its consortium of national and multinational industrial companies in activities designed to de-carbonise natural gas production and utilisation,” he said. Oryx GTL chief operating officer Etienne Rademeyer said that the company is fully committed to supporting the sustainable growth of Qatar’s gas industry and its wider economy. “Workshops such as this, which leverage the broad expertise and experience of key industrial players in Qatar and world-renowned academic institutions, seek to find lasting solutions which benefit all stakeholders, and which ultimately result in a more efficient and sustainable use of our natural resources,” he added. Sasol Qatar president Marjo Louw said that the steps towards a reduced carbon footprint are being laid in Qatar with this workshop conducted by QU’s GPC, a leading  academic institute and the ideal platform for knowledge sharing and furthering advancements in the field. Qapco vice-chairman & CEO Dr Mohamed al-Mulla stated: “Through the participation of our research & development team and its interaction with the GPC in the area of gas processing and petrochemical operations, we are committed to environmental preservation as a key pillar in the future development of our industry and the State of Qatar.”