Qatargas, Gasal Sign Deal for Effective Pipeline Supply of Nitrogen

Doha, June 20 (QNA) - Qatargas Operating Company Limited and Gasal Q.S.C., the joint venture between Air Liquide, Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company, announced the signature of an agreement for the supply of gaseous nitrogen, through Gasal s pipeline in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.
The gaseous nitrogen delivered to Qatargas is supplied through a 5-km pipeline network from the "YangoO2" air separation unit, owned and operated by Gasal.
This new air separation unit was built in record time of 15 months and commissioned in December 2010.
Gasal s nitrogen pipeline network has been initiated to safely and reliably service the existing and future end users in Ras Laffan.
During the last few weeks, Gasal has been able, through its safe, reliable and uninterrupted supply of gaseous nitrogen, to play a key role in one of Qatargas successful planned maintenance programs.
Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer, Qatargas, said: "We are proud to be associated with one of the important players in the energy sector like Gasal who provide industrial gases to the oil, gas and chemical downstream industries in Qatar.
This example of cooperation and the subsequent synergy is one of the reasons behind our success and the success of Qatar s energy sector, under the guidance of HE Dr. Mohammed Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy & Industry of the State of Qatar and Chairman of the Board of Qatargas."
Mr Christian Last, CEO of Gasal, commented: "Gasal successfully completed the first phase on its nitrogen pipeline system in Ras Laffan Industrial City.
The first 5 km are only the beginning of a Ras Laffan wide network, which will be constructed in support of Qatar s National Vision 2030 and the further industrial establishment.
Today, we are proud of having connected Qatargas to our system that offers the safest, most reliable and cost effective supply solution." Commenting on this significant agreement, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatargas Chief Operating Officer, Engineering & Ventures, added: "Partnerships are important for the success and efficiency of any project; the partnership with Gasal to fulfill our nitrogen requirements in a continued safe and effective way has been a contributing factor in the successful delivery of our maintenance programme. We look forward to their ongoing support in our future projects as well."
Qatargas has successfully competed in May 2011 the planned maintenance of its Qatargas 1 plant in a safe and timely manner. The massive teamwork and planning behind this maintenance programme involved employees on all levels. Different contractors have also supported the Qatargas team in effectively delivering it.
Qatargas was established in 1984, and pioneered the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in Qatar.
Gasal Q.S.C. was established in 2006 as a joint venture between Air Liquide, Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company in order to provide industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and argon to the steel, oil, gas and chemical downstream industries in Qatar. (QNA)