US Energy Department delegation visits Bahrain

Manama, Oct. 10 (BNA): Bahrain has hosted a high-profile delegation from the US Department of Energy, led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Gas, Shawn Bennett. The delegation visited the kingdom between October 6 and 8 to be informed about the most important oil projects, and enhance joint cooperation in this vital sector. Tatweer Petroleum Chief Executive Officer, James Eastlake, General Manager Exploration and Development, Yahya Al-Ansari, and a number of senior officials welcomed the US delegation upon arrival. The visit is based on the successful visit of Oil Minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, to Houston, USA, last year, where he explored the prospects for cooperation and investment in oil projects with American oil companies, as well as ways to provide technical and technological assistance for the drilling, exploration and development of oil and gas projects in the kingdom. On this occasion, Oil Minister said that under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the kingdom is keen to strengthen its relations with various international companies through visits and participation in various external events and gatherings aimed at exchanging experiences, information, and knowledge on the latest developments in modern technology to find new modernisation and investment opportunities, as well as innovative solutions to develop this vital sector and boost the national economy. The minister added that Bahrain has made major strides in implementing a number of vital projects aimed at developing current resources, especially the recent and largest oil discovery in the history of the Kingdom, stressing that the United States boasts a group of international giant oil companies that have the latest global systems specialised in maintenance, production, exploration and drilling. He indicated that this visit provides a good opportunity to discuss aspects of cooperation and investment opportunities available in the oil and gas sector, in addition to developing mechanisms for technical and technological cooperation between the two sides, and taking advantage of the expertise and technological progress of American companies in the fields of exploration and drilling. The delegation visited Tatweer Petroleum, and was given information about the drilling and exploration sites, in addition to the sites of oil projects. Members of the delegation expressed admiration for the level of Tatweer Petroleum’s services and modern operational systems. They were also briefed on the company’s work mechanisms, and its role in developing the energy sector, in addition to the available investment opportunities in the oil and gas sector in the kingdom. The delegation also made an inspection visit to a number of companies and oil sites in the Kingdom, including the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Company (ASRI), Bahrain Bay oilfield and the Bahrain field in the Awali and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. They were briefed on the progress of work at these sites and the efforts made to develop them in order to increase their productivity enhance their role in serving the national economy. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Gas, Shawn Bennett, valued highly the Oil Minister’s support for the delegation’s visit to the kingdom, praising the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to them. He added that the visit aims to enhance joint investments in the oil and gas fields, which will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations. He praised the kingdom’s interest in continuously developing its oil installations in order to increase their productivity, stressing that the recent oil discoveries are value-added to Bahrain’s economy, and provide promising investment opportunities.