The Business Year

Search
Close this search box.
Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi

QATAR - Energy & Mining

Gas, Naturally

CEO, RasGas

Bio

Mr. Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, the CEO of RasGas, joined the company in 2007 and has been on the board since 1993. With over 30 years of experience he has held numerous key posts at some of the industry’s leading companies. In addition, Al Mohannadi is the Deputy Vice Chairman of QP, IQ and QVC, and Chairman of the Board at several companies including QAPCO, QATOFIN and QAFAC. He is an active board member at Qatar Electricity & Water Company and an Advisory Board Member of the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce. He was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Qatar University by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Al Mohannadi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Engineering Science from Portland State University, USA.

New extraction technologies have flushed regional markets with natural gas. What is RasGas’ strategy for dealing with this reality? RasGas’ long-term strategic vision, since its inception in 1993, has enabled […]

New extraction technologies have flushed regional markets with natural gas. What is RasGas’ strategy for dealing with this reality?

RasGas’ long-term strategic vision, since its inception in 1993, has enabled it to become a major LNG supplier to the world. Over the past 20 years, we have demonstrated that reliability, deliverability, and flexibility are our key strengths that have set us apart. We have invested, through our major shareholders, Qatar Petroleum and Exxon Mobil Corporation, in the full LNG value chain ranging from some of the world’s largest LNG production trains to managing 27 efficient LNG vessels and constructing world-class terminals around the world. This allows us to reliably and efficiently transport and deliver clean energy to the world. Since our first delivery to South Korea in 1999, RasGas has come to produce and sell nearly half of Qatar’s total LNG production to markets all across the globe, whilst also producing significant amounts of pipeline gas and associated products. RasGas also remains focused on expanding its wider business portfolio through the production of petrochemical liquid feedstock, helium, and pipeline sales gas for national and regional use. The construction of the $10.3 billion Barzan Gas Project will help to support Qatar’s growing energy requirement and provide an incremental 1.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of dry gas, as well as associated products starting in 2014. Once the two trains come online, RasGas will produce around 11 billion standard cubic feet (bscf) per day, making us one of the largest gas producers in the world.

How does RasGas address sustainability concerns, and how do your sustainability reports help the company achieve its goals?

At RasGas, we believe that sustainable practices and business success are inseparable. In 2009, RasGas became the first energy company in Qatar to voluntarily report on its sustainability performance relating to business, environmental, and social issues, which is aligned with the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Our annual sustainability reports demonstrate our commitment to accountability and transparency in our business practices, as well as keeping us focused on excellence in safety, production, and in making a valuable contribution to the community. It provides us an opportunity to review our business and operations, and remain accountable for our resources. In 2013, we issued our fourth sustainability report and the company received the top accolade for large-scale organisation for its 2012 Sustainability Report at the Excellence in Sustainability Reporting Awards ceremony held by QP. The RasGas Sustainability Report for 2012 improved on previous ones, both in content and presentation, by expanding its coverage and being available online in both English and Arabic to reach a wider audience. It takes account of sustainability reporting guidance specific to the oil and gas industry prepared by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The report benchmarks us with our international competitors and demonstrates that we are world-market leaders in sustainability. In 2012, RasGas launched its second five-year flare minimization program, which is set to continue the trend of downward CO2 emissions, ultimately targeting a 90% reduction from the flaring levels of 2005. RasGas also continues to maintain a safe working environment for its employees and contractors. As of December 2013, the company’s venture group had completed a record 100 million man-hours without Lost Time Incident (LTI). RasGas is consistently ranked among the best performers when compared with 20 of the largest companies in the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers’ (OGP) safety performance benchmarking report. In 2012, RasGas was the safest company in the upstream industry.

RasGas is responsible for 25% of the world’s Helium production, a gas whose inertness, low density, and solubility make it useful across many sectors. How is RasGas preparing for what will likely be increased helium prices and potentially a large drop in supply?

RasGas does not speculate on price increases, as there are many factors involved in the global pricing market. Our second helium plant, Helium 2, started production in June 2013. Together with Helium 1, built in 2005, RasGas has a combined annual production of approximately 2 bscf per day and will meet around 25% of current total liquid helium global demand. This also makes Qatar the world’s largest helium refining facility and the largest exporter and second largest producer of helium in the world. RasGas has off-take agreements with Air Liquide, Iwatani Corporation, and Linde Gases, a Linde Group division. Air Liquide will receive 50%, Linde Gases 30%, and the Iwatani Corporation 20% of our annual liquid helium production up until 2032.

In early 2013, Carnegie Mellon Qatar and RasGas signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that paved the way for mutually beneficial initiatives and projects that include providing resources and training for students at Carnegie Mellon. What else is RasGas doing to invest in education?

Education is the key to sustainability and RasGas’ liaison with the education sector is pivotal to ensuring the long-term viability of our Qatarization strategy. As such, we have built numerous long-standing relationships with many educational establishments, such as Qatar University, Texas, A&M University-Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University-Qatar, and most recently CMU-Q. RasGas provides financial and technical support to a number of university programs that seek to encourage young people to pursue technical or science-based careers. These include support for the Life is Engineering program in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering at Qatar University, supported by RasGas volunteers. Additionally, we have signed a platinum sponsorship agreement worth $350,000 with Qatar University in support of the Al-Bairaq program, which is designed to generate interest in scientific, experimental, and research skills among high school students in Qatar. We also work directly with high schools; for example, RasGas’ Safety Ambassadors program stimulates interest in occupational health and safety as a career for young students in Qatar. This program not only nurtures and develops safety and health awareness as a necessary life skill, but it also builds a foundation for creating a reservoir of talent for the future oil and gas sector. Additionally, RasGas awards scholarships to high school and university students to continue their education locally or internationally for qualifications ranging from diploma programs to Bachelor and Master’s degrees. In the summer months, we have a robust internship program that offers students an early introduction to the work environment where they are assigned RasGas mentors. It allows us to participate in the process of training students while they are still at university. This in turn supports our recruitment drive. In 2012, RasGas was awarded the Qatarization Crystal Award in recognition of its support and active education initiatives as part of its Qatarization strategy.

How do RasGas’ long-term goals align with Qatar’s 2030 Vision?

As a responsible corporate citizen and respectful member of the Qatari community, RasGas’ five-year strategic plan, goals, and objectives are established in alignment with Qatar’s National Vision 2030. The strategic choices, which serve as the core of our strategy, revolve around the four pillars of Vision 2030 (Safety, Health and Environment, People, Reliability and Deliverability). To promote sustainable prosperity, we consistently enhance our reliability and deliverability of gas from reservoir to delivery point. For the human development pillar, we are committed to developing Qatari nationals into employees to strengthen the national workforce and optimize the skill mix. To contribute to an integrated approach to sound social development, RasGas implements several effective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives within the community. To ensure environmental sustainability for future generations, RasGas strictly obeys the regulations enforced by Ministry of Environment and pursues strict initiatives to use energy and national resources efficiently and reduce waste and emissions. The State of Qatar has grown at a historic pace over the past two decades and natural gas has rapidly become the clean energy of choice that powers and transforms global economies. At RasGas, we aim at actively and positively contributing toward and enabling the sustainable development of Qatar and its people in alignment with the Vision 2030. One of our major projects, the Barzan Gas Project, will fuel major development in Qatar and further contribute to all four pillars of Vision 2030.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You may also be interested in...

MBHH

QATAR - Economy

Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamed Al Thani

Interview

Vice Chairman, Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding (MBHH)

QATAR - Telecoms & IT

Cengiz Oztelcan

Interview

CEO, Gulf Bridge International (GBI)

QA24_RC_Tivoli_RamiElNatsha copy

QATAR - Real Estate & Construction

Rami R. El Natsha

Interview

CEO, Tivoli Group

View All interviews

Countries

Countries

Become a sponsor