Update on the 27th World Gas Conference

By Jay Copan

x  The Walter E.

Washington Convention Center will play host to the 28th World Gas Conference.

Planning has begun for the 27th World Gas Conference (WGC), to be held from June 25-29, 2018 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Under the direction of a very broad and diverse 40 person National Organizing Committee (NOC), chaired by Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of the American Gas Association (AGA), and working closely with the IGU Secretariat, the WGC team, led by IGU President David Carroll, is developing a compelling program for the event, recognizing the dramatically changing nature of the global gas industry. The extensive, world-class IGU committee network is actively engaged in working with the WGC team to develop an outstanding program that will focus on three key areas – Access, Markets and Social Licence. The team is especially pleased that ExxonMobil

and Chevron will be serving as Host Partners for WGC 2018.

Much has changed in the gas industry in the 28 years since the USA last played host to the World Gas Conference. WGC 2018 will be designed to showcase the role that natural gas can play in a low carbon energy future. With IGU’s growing role as the global voice of gas, the event is uniquely positioned as the only global gas industry event able to address the most timely and topical, strategic, commercial and technical issues and opportunities facing the global gas industry. The Washington, DC location provides a special opportunity to bring together policymakers with technical, commercial and strategic experts from across the globe to discuss these key issues. And, discussion and debate will be of key importance to WGC 2018.

Feedback from delegates at previous WGC events, as well as ongoing feedback from IGU members has the WGC team focused on providing a forum for all voices to be heard regarding the role of natural gas.

Just a few of the many things that will be new and different at WGC 2018: ◆

Engagement of key global

policymakers has already begun. The

Global Ambassadors Network is a group representing the extensive Washington, DC diplomatic corps; they are working closely with the WGC team to bring key policy leaders to the event from across the globe.

With the very large New York financial community just a short train ride away, the first ever WGC Financial Forum will provide a structured opportunity for significant numbers of financial community representatives to meet with the numerous publiclytraded global energy and energy related companies that participate in the WGC.

An invitation only VVIP function the day before WGC, as well as other VVIP functions during the early days of WGC, will provide the most senior level delegates the opportunity to spend quality time with key thought and policy leaders from across the globe.

The exhibition will feature a “Showcase

America” Pavilion, as well as a Technical and Innovation Center.

3,500 sleeping rooms are within an 18

minute walk of the Convention Center.

Virtually all of the major museums and key government buildings (like the US Capitol and the White House) are walkable from the

Convention Center and nearby hotels. All of the Smithsonian museums are free of charge.

WGC 2018 is being held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the American

Gas Association.

The WGC team welcomes any and all suggestions regarding WGC 2018. Feel free to contact me personally at jcopan@wgc2018.com. All of us on the WGC team look forward to welcoming you to Washington, DC in June 2018!

Jay Copan is Executive Director, WGC 2018, and serves as the Special Advisor to the President of the International Gas Union.

c  Key government

buildings such as the US Capitol are in close proximity to both the Convention Center and accomodation.

Embracing Our Responsibilities for a Sustainable Future

x RasGas has worked to increase the efficiency and cut the emissions of its shipping fleet in a number of significant ways.

RasGas understands the environmental challenges and risks that are associated with its activities as an energy supplier aiming to produce reliable and clean energy. Therefore, RasGas perceives its responsibility for the preservation of the environment as a core commitment.

The oil and gas industry is energyintensive, and with climate change being increasingly a major global concern, RasGas, as a consumer of energy, implements a greenhouse gas strategy to tackle the global challenge of greenhouse gas emissions.

Increasing energy efficiency

Underpinned by the goal of continuous improvement, RasGas follows an environmental management system that clearly outlines protection of the environment as a key pillar of sustainable development. This system incorporates measures to promote energy efficiency; as such RasGas has taken steps to increase the energy efficiency of its operations through different initiatives, most significantly the implementation of two five-year flare minimization programs, the first of their kind in Qatar. These initiatives are aligned with Qatar’s goal to reduce flaring and support the country’s participation in the World Bank-led Global Gas Flaring Reduction (GGFR) program, a partnership that seeks to overcome the challenges by sharing global best practices and implementing country-specific programs. RasGas’ approach is to use industry best practices and innovative planning including improved facility designs, new operating procedures, and the use of waste gas for power generation.

In association with Qatargas, RasGas also implemented the Jetty Boil-Off Gas Recovery (JBOG) Project, which is a significant milestone in the oil and gas sector. JBOG recovers gas flared during loading of LNG at Ras Laffan Port, resulting in a massive saving of 800,000 tonnes per year of natural gas, and reducing CO₂ emissions by an estimated 1.6 million tonnes per year.

Increasing the efficiency of RasGas’ shipping operations is another significant approach that demonstrates the company’s efforts in this regard. This approach included unique initiatives carried out by the company such as:

l Supporting the use of larger shipping vessels fitted with re-liquefaction facili

ties to reduce the number of voyages and cut emissions per nautical mile.

l Retrofit older vessels to use clean LNG, thus reducing harmful direct emissions from the vessels themselves and the

indirect emissions from the refinery production of residual fuels.

l Modify three conventional and four

Q-Flex vessels to meet the stricter emissions controls regulated by

European Union Laws, which state that all vessels trading in European emissions control areas must burn less than 0.1%

Sulphur content in fuel or emit equivalent emissions.

RasGas will continue to take actions to deliver reliable, affordable and cleaner energy to meet the world’s needs in an efficient manner, where the company’s greenhouse gas strategy sets the context for its actions and the comprehensive system defines the company’s responsibilities for environmental issues.

ENERGY for life

Energy powers our world, it enriches our lives. Korean artist Mina Cheon uses energy as an inspiration for her art. It fuels her imagination. RasGas provides clean, reliable energy for Qatar and the world. Energy for Life.

South Korea

“The light and energy of Seoul ignites great ideas.” Mina Cheon - Artist