Qatar Petroleum, BP and Texas A&M University to develop world-class LNG Safety Research Programme

Notes and media contacts

The research programme would support a full time Post-Doctoral Fellow and the appointment of up to two full-time PhD Research Students for an initial period of five years, extendable to 10 years and beyond. The technical activities would build upon the current research on LNG dense vapour dispersion, foam blanketing and water curtain control measures and would also include detailed studies of LNG - water interactions and containment technology for accidental LNG release. The programme would involve theoretical modelling and validation by selective field experimentation and measurement.

BP is the world's second largest privately-owned LNG company, measured by equity gas into liquefaction plant. The company has interests in LNG production centres in Abu Dhabi, Angola, Australia, Egypt, Indonesia and Trinidad & Tobago, as well as in LNG import and re-gasification terminals in China, South Korea, Spain, the UK and the US. In 2005, BP established and funded a dedicated LNG Fire School with Texas A&M University at a specially designed training and testing facility constructed at Brayton Field in College Station, Texas. To date, more than 200 trainees have successfully graduated from the school, two thirds of whom have been industry, Government and community participants external to BP.

The Qatar Foundation is a prestigious educational development created under the Emir's vision for the development of Qatar and its people. Chaired by H.H Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the Foundation has attracted several top tier international universities to establish faculties on its campus in Doha. The Foundation provides both teaching to University level and research at the Qatar Science and Technology Park.

Texas A&M University at Qatar is recognized as having one of the premier engineering programs in the world, has offered accredited undergraduate degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering at Qatar Foundation's Education City campus since 2003. In addition to engineering courses, Texas A&M University at Qatar provides supporting classes in science, mathematics, liberal arts and the humanities. The curricula offered at Texas A&M at Qatar are identical to the ones offered at the main campus in College Station, Texas, and courses are taught in English in a co-educational setting. The reputation for excellence is the same, as is the commitment to training engineers equipped to lead the next generation of engineering discovery. Visit www.qatar.tamu.edu to learn more about Texas A&M at Qatar.

Qatar Petroleum is playing a pivotal role in building world-class oil Refineries, LNG, GTL and Petrochemical industries. Beyond saying this necessitates the requirement of highly skilled staff to protect these investments. Qatar Petroleum for this purpose has undertaken the establishment of a world class Emergency and Safety College. Qatar Petroleum and Texas Engineering Service (Member of Texas A & M University) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and establish the Ras Laffan Emergency and Safety College. This is the first educational institution of international repute being setup at RLC, and what makes it unique is the fact that it is also the first of its kind in the Middle East. This facility will be completed in July 2010. Some training could start as early as the third quarter of 2008.

The college will provide the following courses:

Fire Services
Schools, Aviation Fire Fighting and Rescue, Bachelor's, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Fire Investigator, Hazardous Materials, Industrial, LNG, Marine, Safety, Maritime, Recruitment Academy, Rescue, Incident Command Simulator.

Homeland Security
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE)/ Terrorism: Training, Exercises and Technical Assistance, Training for Local, State and Federal Emergencies responders. Threat and Risk Assessment, Incident Management/ unified command, Integrated Health and Medical Training. State Homeland Security Strategy Development, Leadership Development, Senior Officials Workshop.

Public Safety
Basic and Advanced Law Enforcement, Physical / Cyber Security, Threat based vulnerability assessment. Force protection for Public and Private Sector, Emergency /non emergency vehicle operation, School Safety and Security, Unexpected ordinance and improvised explosive device, vehicle collision Investigation and reconstruction, Alcohol, drug and behavioral impairment recognition.

Search and Rescue
Structural Collapse Technician, Disaster Technical Search Specialist, Medical, Logistics, Disaster Canine Workshop, Disaster Canine Specialist, Rescue in a contaminated environment.

Public Works
Construction codes, Electric Power Environmental, Heavy equipment, Pupil and Public Transportation, Public Works Disaster Management, Telecommunications, Water and Wastewater, Electrical, Industrial Safety.

Health and Safety
Occupational Safety and Health, Construction Safety, OSHA Train-the Trainer, Hydrogen Sulfide Train-the Trainer Program, Certified Safety and Health Official Program, Youth Safety Training, Continuing Education Units, Leadership and Management, Environmental Safety

For further information, contact:

Dr. Mohammad Al Beldawi, Head of Environment & Acting HSE Manager at Ras Laffan, QP, Doha: +974-5569924
Fares Ghneim, BP Exploration Operating Co, Limited, Abu Dhabi: +971 2 632 3999
Vicki Morley, Account Director, GolinHarris, Dubai: +971 50 455 7149