Senior European Energy experts join International Advisory Board of Energy City Qatar

Announcing the appointment, Mr. Esam Janahi, Chairman of Gulf Energy said, "We are delighted at Mr. Combret's and Mr. Norvik's acceptance of places on the expert International Advisory Board of the first energy business centre in the region. Energy City Qatar will benefit not only the leading companies who will locate within it, but also the whole region, and the entire energy spectrum worldwide."

Mr. Vahan Zanoyan, CEO and President of PFC Energy, and Board Member of Gulf Energy added, "Bernard de Combret and Harald Norvik are distinguished international energy experts and bring with them a wealth of expertise and knowledge to help develop Energy City Qatar."

MR. BERNARD DE COMBRET spent 24 years with Elf and TotalFinaElf and served as CEO of Marketing and Refining division, CEO of Trading and Transportation, and CEO of Gas and Power division, as well as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of Total until leaving the Group in February 2002.

Before entering the energy sector Mr. Combret held senior positions in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the Ministry of Finance. Since leaving TotalFinaElf he has served as an international consultant in energy, finance and transportation.

MR. HARALD NORVIK commenced his career as a technology consultant before becoming an advisor to the Newegian government, first in foreign affairs, then as the Personal Secretary to the Prime Minister. His final governmental post was as Deputy Enegy Minister and Secretary of State.

Mr. Norvik then entered the energy industry full time, and for the past 25 years has held prestigious positions such as CFO of Aker Group, CEO of Astrup Høyer, CEO of STATOIL and Chairman of ECON Management. In addion, Mr. Norvik has held the Chairmanship of the Supervisory Boards of many esteemed organisations in energy and other sectors, such as World Petroleum Congress, Den Norske Bank, and the Oslo Stock Exchange.

Located within the impressive Lusail development in Doha, ECQ will become the Middle East's first integrated energy business centre, consolidating a range of industry and marketing services under one roof, attracting investment from significant global players in the hydrocarbon value chain. ECQ aims to attract the industry leaders in oil and gas, international oil companies, national oil companies, support services, infrastructure and downstream activities, shipping and trading, market and resource data, intellectual property and energy trading.

ECQ has the full support of the Qatari Government and aims to lead the way in hydrocarbon above ground resource development.

Mr. Combert's (France) and Mr. Norvik's (Norway) appointments closely follows that of Mr. Richard H. Matzke (USA). It is intended that the international experts will be drawn from different global sectors with an excellent spread of specialisations to support the development of ECQ.