New base 802 special 07 march 2016

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NewBase 07 March 2016 - Issue No. 802 Edited & Produced by: Khaled Al Awadi
NewBase For discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502, Dubai, UAE
UAE: Masdar trials desert fish farms and biofuels grown with seawater
The National - Michael Fahy
The world’s first research facility aimed at finding a way to grow food as well as biofuels using
desert land irrigated with seawater has opened in Abu Dhabi.
The facility is based at Masdar City and will be operated by Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, with funding coming from the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium – a group
whose goal is to cut the aviation industry’s carbon emissions.
Group members include Masdar Institute, Etihad Airways, the plane maker Boeing, GE Aviation,
engineering company Honeywell, French aircraft engine maker Safran and Abu Dhabi refining
company Takreer.
The UAE imports about 90 per cent of its food, but it is hoped that by promoting aquaculture using
seawater, the country could grow more of its own fish and shellfish.
Aquaculture has been a fast-growing global food market, increasing by about 6 per cent each
year, but there have been concerns about the environmental damage that can be caused by
nutrient-rich effluent discharged by the fish stocks.

The research hub will use coastal seawater to raise fish and shrimp for food and then use the
nutrient-rich wastewater as fertilizer for plants rich in oils that can be harvested for aviation biofuel.
These salt-tolerant plants, the halophytes, thrive in arid, desert conditions and do not require fresh
water or arable land to grow. Any remaining wastewater then passes through a cultivated
mangrove, which naturally filters more of the nutrients before it is discharged into the sea.
The trial for the technology is being run on a small scale, but if it proves to be viable, a 200-
hectare demonstration site is planned.
The UAE’s Minister of Climate Change, Thani Al Zeyoudi, said: “This project will not only
sustainably produce bioenergy but also offer a pathway to grow our aquaculture industry, which
supports food independence.”
Kevin Fitzsimmons, a professor of environmental science at the University of Arizona, said:
“Aquaculture systems are here to stay. As the planet’s population approaches nine billion people,
we must advance technologies that enable sustainable and manageable food production.”
James Hogan, the chief executive of Etihad, said the new research centre “places the UAE at the
centre of a global movement to advance technology that supports sustainable production of food
and bioenergy.
“The commercialisation of aviation fuels – cleaner, superior-performing fuels – is a critical step
towards balancing our industry’s dependency on fossil fuels,” he said.
The UAE was the highest-ranked Arab country in The Economist’s most recent Global Food
Security Index, which was published last May.
The country came 23rd in the ranking of 109 countries for food security, with high marks granted
for its affluence, the presence of food safety net programmes and its food safety and nutrition
standards. One challenge identified was a lack of public spending on agricultural research.

Qatar: ExxonMobil Research Qatar, RasGas to test remote gas detection system
Gulf Times
ExxonMobil Research Qatar and project partner RasGas are field testing an advanced second-
generation dual sensor version of ExxonMobil’s ‘IntelliRed’ remote gas detection system.
The IntelliRed system, patent pending, provides a highly sensitive and accurate early warning of
hydrocarbon leaks and is designed to improve process safety and environmental performance at
oil refineries, chemical plants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and other gas processing
facilities worldwide.
The IntelliRed remote gas detection system, which won the 2013 Qatar Petroleum HSE
Excellence Innovation Award, has been deployed near LNG Train 7, in which ExxonMobil has a
30% participating interest. Field testing is expected to run through 2016.
“The dual imager IntelliRed remote gas detection system is a step forward in mitigating
operational risks while improving reliability and ease of use,” said Hazem Abdel-Moati, Safety
Research lead at ExxonMobil Research Qatar. “The pilot project is designed to test the system’s
durability and harsh climate performance by challenging it with various environmental conditions
such as heat, humidity, dust, sand and fog.”

The system employs two infrared cameras with a common optical path. One imager operates at a
wavelength slightly offset from the other, allowing one imager to detect both hydrocarbon and
background signatures while the second imager detects only the background signature.
Image subtraction techniques eliminate background interference, which increases hydrocarbon
plume detection accuracy, simplifies the autonomous computer vision algorithm and improves
continuous scanning of a given landscape for aerial surveillance applications.
Scientists from ExxonMobil Research Qatar and Providence Photonics developed the IntelliRed
system over a four-year period, culminating in field tests of the system at production facilities in
Qatar and the United States.
In 2015, the ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company awarded Providence Photonics a global
commercial licence for the system.
“RasGas embraces its responsibility for the safety of people and the protection of the environment
as a core commitment. Therefore, the partnership between RasGas and ExxonMobil Research
Qatar is a clear demonstration of our consistent efforts to implement innovative technologies that
would significantly improve process safety, integrity of assets and enhance environmental
performance of our facilities,” said Khalid al-Hemaidi, RasGas chief Safety, Health, Environment
and Quality Officer. “RasGas continues to seek opportunities that support Qatar’s drive for
sustainable development,” he added.
“This pilot project emphasises the continued commitment of ExxonMobil Research Qatar and
RasGas to pursue research excellence in the field of process safety and environmental protection.
It is another example of the joint effort of ExxonMobil’s scientists and local partners to develop and
commercialise cutting-edge technologies that enhance safety for personnel; integrity for facilities;
and protection for the environment – all elements that are fundamental for successful operations,”
said Dr Mohamad al-Sulaiti, ExxonMobil Research Qatar’s Research Director.
“ExxonMobil is proud to build a world-class centre of educational and scientific excellence, while
simultaneously conducting research in areas that further Qatar’s National Vision 2030. We want to
ensure that our efforts continue to contribute to a brighter and more sustainable future for Qatar
and its people,” he added.

Qatargas delivers LNG to Pakistan (PSO) with new LNG deal
Gulf Times
Qatargas has delivered its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo, under a new long-term supply
deal with Pakistan State Oil Company (PSO) to Port Qasim, Pakistan.
The cargo was loaded onto ‘Al Gattara’, a chartered Qatargas LNG vessel, owned and operated
by Nakilat. The vessel left Ras Laffan on February 26, 2016 to mark the inaugural Q-Flex delivery
to Pakistan.
With the addition of this milestone delivery to Port Qasim, the Qatargas-chartered Q-Flex fleet
achieved compatibility with 60 LNG terminals globally, while the larger Q-Max vessels are
presently compatible with 32 LNG terminals globally.
In April 2015, Qatargas delivered the first commissioning cargo to PSO onboard the LNG vessel
‘Excelerate Exquisite,’ a floating storage and regasification unit vessel, which is currently moored
at the Engro LNG terminal in Port Qasim, and is Pakistan’s first LNG import terminal.
“PSO is an important new customer for Qatargas and we are very pleased that the first Q-Flex
cargo has been safely delivered. We would like to compliment and express our deep appreciation
of Nakilat and our business
partners in Pakistan for their
tireless preparations and
professional support in achieving
this milestone delivery. We look
forward to a safe and successful
relationship with all stakeholders
as we celebrate the successful first
Q-Flex delivery of this important
new agreement,” Qatargas chief
executive officer Sheikh Khalid bin
Khalifa al-Thani said.
This latest achievement by
Qatargas followed many months of careful preparations in conjunction with ship-owner, the Port
Qasim Authority (PQA). Preparations included the development of new dedicated procedures for
Q-Flex vessels and required the support of Master Mariners from Qatargas, the PQA pilots.
The first Q-Flex LNG delivery to Pakistan under a 15-year sales and purchase agreement
demonstrates the Company’s commitment and further strengthens the relationship between both
companies going forward, a Qatargas spokesman said, adding this achievement highlights its
capability to supply LNG to customers around the globe both safely and reliably.

Oman: 300 firms to attend 10th Oil & Gas West Asia Exhibition
Oman Observer
While the drop in global oil prices has affected the industry, oil and gas companies and the Oman
government remain optimistic that this will lead to more persistent and intensive efforts to open
paths to viable alternatives, such as advanced extraction techniques and technologies, potential
opportunities, and new investment in downstream activities.
Addressing the
media at the Oil &
Gas West Asia
(OGWA) press
conference on
Sunday at the
InterContinental
Hotel Muscat,
Nader Abbas,
general manager of
pioneer exhibitions
and conferences
organiser
Omanexpo, said
that the current
challenges in the
market did not
hinder the
participation of top
local and
international oil and
gas majors in the
exhibition,
highlighting the higher number of international companies than the 2014 edition.
The exhibition will welcome about 300 companies from 16 countries, the Italy, Iran and China
pavilions — the largest pavilions ever in the history of Oman exhibitions, and the first-time
participation of an SME and ICV pavilion, organised in support of government initiatives.
“Oman is a market that is highly recognised, being one of the countries in the Middle East that is
highly dependent on hydrocarbons,” Abbas remarks. In 2015, the Oman government spent about
3.9 billion in investment, an increase of 9.35 per cent on the 3.6 billion budgeted for 2014.
The executive plenary sessions on the 21st will feature high-level speakers such as Andrew
Kershaw, CEO, Tatweer Petroleum, Jonathan Lewis, Senior Vice President Completion and
Production, Halliburton, Amran Al Marhubi, Technical Director, PDO, Robert Deutman, VP
Development Joint Ventures and RDS Chief Reservoir Engineer, Shell, and James R Briscoe,
Senior VP Development, Occidental Petroleum.
OGWA is once again held under the auspices of the Ministry of Oil and Gas and supported by
PDO and Oman Society of Petroleum Engineers (OPAL). The press conference was a prelude to
the 10th international edition of Oil & Gas West Asia (OGWA) Exhibition, scheduled from March
21 to 23 at the Oman International Exhibition Center, and the SPE EOR Conference, set from
March 20 to 23 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Seeb.

Saudi Arabia on right path to overcome weak oil prices
Saudi Gazette
While weaker oil prices present a serious challenge to the growth outlook for the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, fiscal consolidation efforts by the government should see the country avoid
recession, according to a new ICAEW report.
The report Economic Insight: Middle East Q1 2016, produced by Oxford Economics, ICAEW’s
partner and economic forecaster, indicates depressed oil prices will compound economic
concerns in a region already facing issues over fiscal sustainability, structural economic
weaknesses and deepening conflict in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen.
However, the Saudi government’s 2016 budget shows it is giving serious consideration to fiscal
consolidation. The government announced a year-on-year decline in public spending for the first
time in 14 years, as well as plans to reduce energy subsidies starting this year.
Other reforms include capping the public wage bill, the introduction of taxes on goods including
tobacco and soft drinks, more privatization and the establishment of a new finance unit to oversee
a medium-term expenditure framework.
“The near-term objective for Saudi Arabia will be to maintain financial stability,” said Michael
Armstrong, FCA and ICAEW Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
(MEASA). The report also shows that GDP growth in Saudi Arabia over 2016 is expected to reach
1.2%. Fiscal consolidation measures are already underway.

US:Growth in domestic natural gas production leads
to development of LNG export terminals
Source: Energy Information Administration, based on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The first export shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced in the Lower 48 states on
February 24 is a milestone reflecting a decade of natural gas production growth that has put the
United States in a new position in worldwide energy trade.
With the rapid growth of supply from shale gas resources over the past decade, U.S. natural gas
production has grown each year since 2006. The resulting decline in domestic natural gas prices
has led to rising natural gas exports, both via pipeline to Mexico and, since last week, to overseas
markets via LNG tankers.
The United States is currently a net importer of natural gas, and gross imports represented nearly
10% of total supply in 2015, based on data through November. The United States imported 7.5
billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas, mostly from Canada by pipeline, and exported 4.8
Bcf/d, mostly to Mexico by pipeline. For years, Alaska has exported LNG, mostly to Pacific Rim
countries, but these volumes have been small. In addition to the Sabine Pass terminal that was
the source of last week's LNG shipment, four other LNG export terminals are currently under
construction.
When natural gas is cooled to -260 degrees Fahrenheit, it becomes a liquid that is 1/600th of its
gaseous volume, making it easier to transport via vessel. The U.S. Gulf Coast has a large existing
pipeline network, which makes the area attractive for developing export terminals. Many of the
LNG export terminals now under construction or proposed are at sites that have functioned, and
may continue to function, as LNG import terminals. Several LNG import terminals were built in the
1970s, and a new wave of terminals was constructed in the mid- to late-2000s. As domestic

production increased, LNG imports declined, as many new terminals were barely used and the
utilization rates of older terminals declined.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is responsible for authorizing siting and
construction of LNG export terminals (as well as import terminals) that are onshore or that are
close to the shore.
FERC prepares
environmental impact
statements to assess
the environmental
consequences of the
terminals under its
jurisdiction. Although
most of the LNG
terminals fall under
FERC jurisdiction, the
U.S. Maritime
Administration
regulates deepwater
terminals. Only one deepwater export terminal has been proposed, and if approved, it would be
located about 50 miles south of the Texas-Louisiana border in the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition to approval for construction from FERC or the Maritime Administration, the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy issues separate authorizations to export to
countries based on whether they have a free trade agreement with the United States.
Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project in Sabine Pass, Louisiana, consists of six
different liquefaction units, or trains, the first of which began service in February after many
delays. The other trains are in various stages of development and permitting. Total permitted
capacity by FERC is 4.16 Bcf/d.
Four LNG export terminals are currently under construction:
• Dominion Energy's Cove Point LNG facility in Cove Point, Maryland, is scheduled to bring
one train totaling 0.82 Bcf/d online near the end of 2017.
• Corpus Christi LNG, another Cheniere project, is under construction in Corpus Christi,
Texas. The terminal is scheduled to begin service in 2018, with total permitted capacity at
2.14 Bcf/d.
• Sempra Energy's Cameron LNG terminal, located in Hackberry, Louisiana, is under
construction and is scheduled to bring three trains online in 2018. A total of 1.7 Bcf/d has
been permitted.
• Freeport LNG's terminal planned for Freeport, Texas, has three trains under construction
totaling 1.8 Bcf/d. The first two are scheduled to begin service in 2019, and the third in
2020.
• Another terminal, Southern Union's Lake Charles (Louisiana) LNG facility, has been approved
by FERC but is not yet under construction. Lake Charles also has an LNG import
terminal. Several more LNG export terminals, mostly on the Gulf Coast, have been proposed
or have pending applications with FERC.

The new terminals are expected to take advantage of natural gas produced in the Appalachian
Basin, particularly the Marcellus and Utica regions, the source of much of the nation's production
growth over the past several years.
The Sabine Pass Liquefaction project has secured 300 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of
natural gas from the Texas Gas Transmission Ohio-Louisiana Access Project, which facilitates
additional flows of Marcellus and Utica natural gas to the southern United States. Additionally,
Cheniere's Corpus Christi Liquefaction project will receive 385 MMcf/d from the Natural Gas
Pipeline Company of America's Gulf Coast mainline pipeline system.
Dominion's Cove Point (which began operating as an import terminal in 1978) already has a
dedicated pipeline with a link to three interstate pipelines that operate in the Marcellus area.
Market conditions have changed since many LNG export projects in the United States were
initially proposed. Proposed LNG terminals in the United States face not only increased
competition from other domestic and foreign terminals that have been completed, but they also
face uncertainty in global LNG demand. Australia, already a major LNG exporter, plans to expand
its LNG export capacity in the coming years.
In late 2015, two terminals began service in Australia, Gladstone LNG and Australia Pacific LNG,
both located on Australia's East Coast. At the same time, LNG imports by countries in
Asia declined slightly in 2015.

NewBase 07 March 2016 Khaled Al Awadi
NewBase For discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502 , Dubai , UAE
Oil jumps as traders close short positions, U.S. producers cut rig count
Reuters + NewBase
Oil prices jumped on Monday, extending a rally that has lifted crude benchmarks by more than a
third from this year's lows, as tightening supply and an improving global outlook strengthened the
sentiment for a market recovery.
Front-month Brent LCOc1 crude futures were trading at $39.49 per barrel at 0400 GMT, up 77
cents or 2 percent from their last settlement. That is up more than a third from a low hit in January,
when prices fell to levels not seen since 2003.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were trading at $36.63 a barrel, up 71 cents from the
last close and 40 percent above lows touched in February.
"It looks at this stage as if it (oil) has formed a little bit of a bottom and perhaps we're going to see
a sustained price in the $30s, maybe trending back up to $40 dollars at some point," said Ben Le
Brun, market analyst at OptionsXpress.
Le Brun said an improved economic outlook was pushing prices: "The macro picture takes all
corners of the globe into account, and those corners seem to be improving ... and that's where I'm
seeing the oil price tick higher."
Analysts said that strong U.S. payroll data had pushed markets on Friday and early Monday, but
that attention was now shifting to Asia.
Oil price special
coverage

Morgan Stanley said on Monday that China's parliament, the National People's Congress, which
opens its annual session this week listed "to ease market barriers for transport, oil, and gas"
among key policy targets this year.
On the supply side, U.S. energy firms cut oil rigs for an 11th week in a row to the lowest level
since December 2009, data showed on Friday, as producers slash costs. Drillers removed eight
oil rigs in the week ended March 4, bringing the total count down to 392, oil services company
Baker Hughes Inc (BHI.N) said
Beyond a tightening supply outlook, traders said a shift in sentiment was also lifting prices as they
shut down short positions and abandoned bets on further falls in prices.
Trading data shows that the number of managed short positions on WTI contracts - which would
benefit from lower prices - have fallen more than a quarter since mid-February, with many new
long positions betting on rising prices being opened.
Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets said "there's a good prospect that Brent could
hit $40 ... (it) could easily do it in the next trading session."
U.S. rig count drops some more
Baker Hughes has published another Weekly Rig Count reports, and U.S. offshore rigs have
dropped again.
U.S. Rig Count is down 13 rigs from last week to 489, with oil rigs down 8 to 392, and gas rigs
down 5 to 97. U.S. Rig Count is down 703 rigs from last year at 1,192, with oil rigs down 530, gas
rigs down 171, and miscellaneous rigs down 2.
The U.S. Offshore rig count is 24, down 3 rigs from last week, and down 27 rigs year over year.
Canadian Rig Count is down 46 rigs from last week to 129, with oil rigs down 33 to 50, and gas
rigs down 13 to 79.
Canadian Rig Count is down 171 rigs from last year at 300, with oil rigs down 100, and gas rigs
down 71.

NewBase Special Coverage
News Agencies News Release 07 March 2016
IEA enhances co-operation with India in fields as diverse
as energy forecasting and data
The International Energy Agency (IEA) will enhance its co-operation with India in numerous fields
including forecasting and data as part of an agreement signed Friday between IEA Executive
Director Fatih Birol and Arvind Panagariya, the Vice-Chairman of the National Institution for the
Transformation of India (NITI) Aayog.
The Statement of Intent,
signed during Dr.
Panagariya’s visit to IEA
headquarters, provides an
umbrella accord for the
many IEA research and
policy initiatives that apply
to broader energy issues.
“As India moves to the
centre of the global energy
stage, it is vital that the IEA
and our members step up
our level of engagement,”
said Dr. Birol. “This
agreement will allow us to
do that by improving mutual
understanding of the functioning of energy markets in the world.”
The IEA already shares with India best energy practices it has gleaned from its own analysis as
well as the experiences of its member countries. The Statement of Intent will push forward
ongoing IEA-India work in a number of cross-cutting issues that apply to the country’s energy
system. These issues include work for the Agency’s flagship publication, World Energy
Outlook (WEO), as well as modelling, forecasting and identification of data needs.
The agreement also expands on ongoing joint research on relevant technologies and analysis of
global trends in pricing and supply of energy supplies, plus development of human resources
development strategies for the energy sector. The two parties agree to look into regular exchange
of statistics and other energy sector information as well as increased seminars, training, and visits
involving researchers and other experts.
Created by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he took office in 2014, NITI Aayog is
designed to function as both a think tank and a policy forum. Dr. Panagariya, whose post ranks as
a cabinet minister, is also India’s Group of 20 Sherpa, representing the Prime Minister at
international meetings to prepare for the G20 summit this September in Hangzhou, China.

During his visit to the IEA, Dr. Panagariya delivered a speech as part of the big
IdEAs distinguished lecture series on the Indian economy’s development and outlook.
Dr. Birol was one of a handful of energy experts recently invited by Prime Minister Modi to brief
him on the global energy outlook. The meeting followed publicationof the WEO Special
Report India Energy Outlook 2015 and India’s participation in the 2015 IEA Ministerial meeting.
India participates in seven IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs), furthering research
in demand-side management, fusion and fossil fuels. TCPs bring together government, academic
and other experts from around the world to share latest developments and discoveries in a host of
energy technology and policy subjects.
Click here to read the full text of the Statement of Intent.
Photo © OECD/IEA 2016, by Andrew Wheeler
About the IEA
Founded in 1974, the International Energy Agency was initially designed to help countries co-
ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil. While this remains a key
aspect of its work, the IEA has evolved and expanded. It is at the heart of global dialogue on
energy, providing authoritative statistics and analysis. The IEA examines the full spectrum of
energy issues and advocates policies that will enhance the reliability, affordability and
sustainability of energy in its 29 member countries and beyond.

NewBase For discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502, Dubai, UAE
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Khaled Malallah Al Awadi,
Energy Consultant
MS & BS Mechanical Engineering (HON), USA
Emarat member since 1990
ASME member since 1995
Hawk Energy member 2010
Mobile: +97150-4822502
khdmohd@hawkenergy.net
khdmohd@hotmail.com
Khaled Al Awadi is a UAE National with a total of 25 years of experience in
the Oil & Gas sector. Currently working as Technical Affairs Specialist for
Emirates General Petroleum Corp. “Emarat“ with external voluntary Energy
consultation for the GCC area via Hawk Energy Service as a UAE
operations base , Most of the experience were spent as the Gas Operations
Manager in Emarat , responsible for Emarat Gas Pipeline Network Facility &
gas compressor stations . Through the years, he has developed great
experiences in the designing & constructing of gas pipelines, gas metering &
regulating stations and in the engineering of supply routes. Many years were spent drafting, &
compiling gas transportation, operation & maintenance agreements along with many MOUs for the
local authorities. He has become a reference for many of the Oil & Gas Conferences held in the
UAE and Energy program broadcasted internationally, via GCC leading satellite Channels.
NewBase : For discussion or further details on the news above you may contact us on +971504822502 , Dubai , UAE
NewBase 07 March 2016 K. Al Awadi

New base 802 special 07 march 2016

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