Al Shaheen Film on Flare Reduction Wins United Nations Award

Doha, February 15 (QNA) - Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Maersk Oil recently received recognition from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for their short film, "Setting a New Standard," which highlights their efforts to successfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Qatar s Al Shaheen field as part of the UN s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Jointly developed by Maersk Oil and QP s HSE Regulations & Enforcement Directorate, the film offers a unique insight into the world-class technical execution and environmental management behind the Al Shaheen development -- including its gas recovery and flare reduction project -- which was recognized in 2007 by the UN as the world s largest CDM project. The film received the award at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2011 during the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17), which was held in Durban, South Africa, in November 2011. The film was entered in the UNFCCC/CDM International Photo and Video Contest with the theme "Changing Lives." "This award reaffirms the importance of our commitment to achieve zero-flaring operations and to contribute towards global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it should serve as an inspiration in our determined efforts to continuously improve the environmental performance of Qatar s oil and gas industry," said HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy & Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of QP. Setting a New Standard" was produced for the 2010 UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico, and for the directorate s Gas Flaring Workshop to highlight Qatar s role in sustainable development and emissions-reduction efforts. This isn t the only award for the film; it previously bagged the Gold awards in the Energy and Nuclear Issues category at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in April 2011 and in the Public Relations: Technology category at the World Media Festival in Hamburg, Germany, in May 2011. Together, QP and Maersk Oil have successfully reduced gas flaring from the Al Shaheen field to a minimum, which is considered a rare accomplishment in the industry. An 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has been achieved by capturing previously flared gas and turning it into clean electricity, thereby increasing the national electricity supply, providing employment and transferring technical knowledge to local industry. Maersk Oil Qatar Managing Director Lewis Affleck said: "Setting a New Standard showcases to the world how, together with QP we have turned a challenging field into a commercial success by using our innovation and expertise." HSE Regulations & Enforcement Director Mr. Saif S. Al Naimi added: "This international recognition will further enhance the State of Qatar s image internationally as an oil and gas producer that is committed to protecting and preserving its environment, as well as promoting clean, sustainable development." (QNA)