DOHA THE Prince of Wales was at Qatar Shell Research and Technology Center (QSRTC) at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) during his recent visit to Qatar.
QSTP is home for technologybased companies from around the world. Prince Charles was introduced to the latest and most innovative research programmes running at the centre.
Qatar Shell is the anchor tenant at Qatar Science and Technology Park. Shell’s research facility forms part of the company’s global technology network and works closely with Shell’s main technology centres located in Amsterdam and Rijswijk in the Netherlands and Houston, Texas. Qatar Shell is committed to investing up to $100 million over 10 years on research and development programmes.
Prince Charles was received by Wael Sawan, managing director and chairman of Qatar Shell Companies, who said: “We are extremely honoured to welcome His Royal Highness to the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre. We are using this world class research facility to run cutting edge research programmes in the fields of energy and environment that contribute to the development of the country’s oil and gas industry and support Qatar’s ambition of becoming a global research hub.
“Qatar Petroleum and Shell have a close and established partnership with Imperial College London to research and better understand carbonate reservoirs, which constitute the vast majority of hydrocarbon reservoirs across the Middle East, as well as the storage of carbon dioxide. ’‘ Prince Charles and his delegation were introduced to one of the world’s most ambitious and important research programmes on CO2 management.
This was presented by using a special ‘elevator’ experience demonstrating the process of CO2 capture and sequestration. They also discussed the ‘Energy Future Lab’ - the world’s first laboratory to research the storage of CO2 in the subsurface. This lab, located at Imperial College London, represents a $70 million, 10-year research programme, jointly funded by Shell, Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Science and Technology Park.
The visitors were also briefed on Shell’s GTL Kerosene research programme and its most recent game changing product - GTL jet fuel, currently being produced using GTL kerosene from Pearl GTL, the world’s largest GTL plant. GTL Jet Fuel is the first aviation fuel to be approved for commercial use in over two decades. It is potentially very attractive to airlines and airport authorities keen to improve local air quality at busy airports by reducing local emissions.
Currently, the GTL jet fuel is being used at Doha International Airport.
Prince Charles was also briefed on the Shell Ecomarathon, one of Qatar Shell’s social investment initiatives and close links to universities, by viewing a Shell Ecomarathon car made by Qatar University in 2012.
Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s most innovative and challenging student competitions held annually in Europe, America and Asia where university student teams are challenged to design, build and compete with energy efficient vehicles.
Qatar Shell is preparing to host an Eco-Marathon competition in Doha in 2014. The winner is the team that goes the furthest distance using the least amount of fuel/energy.
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