Qatar Petroleum and UOP sign research agreement

Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Honeywell subsidiary UOP LLC, have signed a joint research agreement on Process Optimization of CO₂ and Sulfur Components Removal from Natural Gases.

The agreement was signed at QP headquarters by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of QP, and Dr. Rajeev Gautam, President and CEO of UOP.

The aim of the research is for treated natural gases to be used more efficiently in further processing operations such as in transporting natural gas in pipelines, in the production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGL), liquefied natural gas (LNG), gas-to-liquids (GTL) products, and in gas cleanup upstream petrochemical/fertilizer manufacturing plants.

Qatar’s gas industry
His Excellency Al-Sada explained that the agreement as an important milestone in Qatar’s gas industry: “Qatar is constantly working to facilitate the optimum development of its hydrocarbon resources, and this agreement is another step in that direction.”

“Developing more efficient technologies to remove contaminants from natural gas will help boost Qatar’s reputation as a safe, reliable supplier of natural gas as well as high-quality products,” he added.

UOP CEO, Dr. Gautam, commented: “Global natural gas demand is growing rapidly and LNG/LPG/NGL/GTL production is critical to meeting the needs of regions not served by pipelines and to enable global trade. Qatar Petroleum is a recognized leader in the production of LNG/NGL for world markets, and we look forward to extending our long-standing partnership to develop technology in these important fields.”

Qatar Petroleum
QP operates its offshore gas platform and five NGL plants at Mesaieed Industrial City, and is a joint venture between Qatargas, RasGas, Shell’s Pearl GTL and Oryx GTL Limited. QP develops and operates onshore and offshore oil and gas fields in Qatar, including exploration, field development, production, refining, transport, and storage.

The company has recently inaugurated a Research & Technology Center (QPRTC) at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) to carry out research activities on subjects related to surface and sub-surface activities in oil and gas fields, in cooperation with global R&D centers.

Honeywell UOP
UOP is a leader in natural gas treating technologies, which currently are used in QP’s LNG and gas processing facilities. The company’s separation technology and equipment remove contaminants such as water, carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds from natural gas in order to meet product specifications and requirements for downstream transmission and liquefaction equipment.

In 2012, UOP and QP joined forces to establish the first Engineering Design Seminar program in the Middle East to meet the growing demand for highly trained engineers who specialise in refinery process units and equipment.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/29012014/qatar_petroleum_and_uop_sign_research_agreement_107/