Texas A&M, Industry Leaders Host Natural Gas Symposium in Qatar

Texas A&M University at Qatar and industry leaders are hosting the 10th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium (NGCS 10) from 2-7 March at the Ritz Carlton Doha. This year’s symposium is organized under the patronage of HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry.

The symposium brings together scientists, researchers, and the world’s leaders in synthesis gas production and utilization to share information on the latest trends in research and technology development in these fields. The influential international event is sponsored by QAPCO, Qatar Petroleum , ORYX GTL, Sasol and Shell, among other generous local industry supporters.

The symposium features topics on production and purification, synfuels, conversion, energy and commercial technical-economic studies. Industry experts will discuss information on the latest R&D technology solutions related to the conversion of fossil resources, biomass and waste to syngas, energy, synthetic natural gas, hydrogen, liquid fuels and chemicals – all hot topics of current cutting-edge research.

At the opening ceremony HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry, stated, “It is my great pleasure to join you at the 10th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium and I extend a warm welcome to all participants and visiting members of the academic and industrial community to Qatar, the GTL and LNG Capital of the World. I would like to thank the Natural Gas Conversion Board and Texas A&M University at Qatar, for hosting this important event, for the first time, in the Middle East. This has come at an appropriate time when Qatar is embarking on a major program of downstream Petrochemical industry development, utilizing as feedstock, the products available from processing of gas from its giant offshore North Field reservoir. This symposium, will also contribute to Qatar’s growing reputation as a regional and international hub for education and scientific works; and it stands as a testimony of the wise visionary leadership of His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Emir of the State of Qatar, in the balanced progression of the country.”

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, Texas A&M at Qatar dean and CEO, said, “Texas A&M at Qatar is proud to host this timely and important international event in partnership with the Natural Gas Conversion Board and with the generous support from our industry partners Qatar Petroleum , Shell, SASOL, ORYX GTL and QAPCO. I would especially like to extend the University’s gratitude to His Excellency Minister Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada for his patronage of the Natural Gas Conversion Symposium. The discussions held at this symposium are significant, as they address research in the dynamic natural gas conversion field and promote collaboration between academia and industry which is essential to the furthering of R&D. Furthermore, the symposium topics are most relevant to the State of Qatar and do much to further its National Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Research Strategy. Events such as NGCS promote Qatar as a hub for knowledge and scientific research, and the University is proud to be a part of that growth and development.”

Dr. Mohamed Yousef Al Mulla, QAPCO’s vice chairman and CEO, stated, “QAPCO’s legacy has been achieved in part through a strong research and development strategy. That is why we are so pleased to help sponsor this symposium as it will, I am sure, help to advance research in this vital field. This symposium also demonstrates the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, and I believe that this must continue if we wish to maintain the remarkable development of the oil and gas industry in Qatar. I would also like to thank the organizers of the symposium for doing a great job, and I hope that all delegates will enjoy their stay in Qatar and their time at the symposium.”

“Shell is truly privileged to sponsor the 10th Natural Gas Conversion Symposium. The state of Qatar had the courage and foresight to develop gas-to-liquids as an additional route for monetizing its gas resources. Symposiums such as this are important for the continual development of our industry, enabling us to share our experiences and look to the future,” stated Wael Sawan Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell.

Abdulrahman M Al-Suwaidi, ORYX GTL’s CEO, stated, “At ORYX GTL, we understand first-hand the benefits of thoughtful investment in gas conversion technology. As the world’s first commercial-scale slurry phase GTL plant back in 2006 when our plant was commissioned – we have been at the forefront of the global gas conversion revolution, and remain a globally-influential role model for international oil companies, national oil companies and technology providers alike. We look forward to engaging with delegates at the symposium over the next five days, and showcasing the GTL value proposition.”

Marjo Louw, President, Sasol Qatar, stated, “It’s a privilege to be involved with the symposium as a platinum sponsor, reflecting Sasol’s leadership position in the conversion of Gas to GTL products. We were the first company to bring large scale commercial GTL diesel to the market; and continued innovation in gas conversion and commercial application are the core pillars of our business. NGCS10 is a unique conference as it brings academia, government and industry together in a spirit of international co-operation. We’re here to collaborate, share knowledge and discuss developments that will help to accelerate our common work. I applaud the work of the board and the participation of the industry. What more natural place to convene than in the Gas-To-Liquids capital of the world? “

Plenary speakers include Professor Krijn de Jong of Utrecht University, Professor Maria Flytzani Stephanopoulos of Tufts University, Mr. Rob Overtoom of Shell and Professor Yong-Wang Li of Synfuels China and the Chinese Academy of Science. In addition to a full schedule of plenary, keynote and oral presentations and poster sessions, the program will include optional site visits to two of the largest and most innovative gas conversion projects on earth- ORYX GTL and Pearl GTL, and to one of the world’s leading petrochemical manufacturers, QAPCO.

Christopher Kidder, executive director of the NGCB, said, “For more than a quarter century the Natural Gas Conversion symposium series has brought together scientists, researchers, and engineers from academia and industry working in the field of natural gas conversion. Each edition of the triennial symposium tends to be infused with the specialism, style, and flavor of the local area, host, and sponsors, and this is very much in evidence at NGCS 10. Sponsors of the event include those companies at the vanguard of natural gas conversion here in Qatar and elsewhere, and hundreds of delegates from more than thirty countries who are involved in some of the most exciting and innovative research and development connected with conversion technologies. Every three years this combination provides an excellent forum for valuable interaction, new collaboration, and sharing of information, and is especially true for NGCS 10 given the importance and scale of gas conversion developments here. The NGCB is grateful for the extraordinary efforts of the event’s Local Organizing Committee, led by Texas A&M University at Qatar and representatives of Qatar Petroleum , Shell, Sasol, ORYX GTL, and QAPCO, that has enabled this international gathering in the GTL Capital of the World.”

The triennial Natural Gas Conversion Symposium (NGCS) series began in 1987, with the aim of bringing together scientists and engineers from academia and industry working in the field of natural gas conversion. The NGCS is an independent, non-advocacy, non-commercial international event unconnected with any scientific, commercial or government organization. The orderly continuation of the symposia series is overseen by a non-profit corporation, the Natural Gas Conversion Board (NGCB), established for this purpose.

Selected presentations from this symposium will be published in Catalysis Today and Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.

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LNG World News Staff, March 04, 2013; Image: qatar.tamu.edu