Energy, Manufacturing & Environmental Care
Energising Bahrain Interview with Dr. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive, Banagas
The Bahrain National Gas Company (Banagas) is 75 per cent owned by nogaholding, 12.5 per cent by Chevron Bahrain and 12.5 per cent by Boubyan Petrochemical Company, a Kuwaiti Shareholding Company, who acquired the Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation (APICORP) shareholding in September 2011. The primary objective of the Company is processing associated gas into marketable products, propane, butane and naphtha, and supplying residue gas for local industrial use and providing employment and training opportunities to Bahraini nationals. The initial facilities, a processing train, four compressor stations and storage facilities, were officially inaugurated in 1979 and the first shipment made in early 1980. Propane, Butane and Naphtha are exported worldwide while the residue gas is routed to Aluminum Bahrain, the Bapco refinery and Riffa power station. Banagas also operate and manages the Bahrain National Gas Expansion Company, which was incorporated in 2008.
How does Banagas service the general public?
The foundation of Banagas was indeed a milestone in serving the general public of Bahrain. The Company was founded in 1979, with the primary objective of using the large quantities of associated gas extracted from Bahrain’s oil field, which for more than forty years had been flared to the air creating an environmental hazard. Through an optimal set of processes, Banagas managed to convert such an environmental hazard into a substantial contribution to the national economy, at the same time, creating employment opportunities for the national workforce and significantly contributing in protecting the environment from air pollution. Banagas has developed into a socially responsible and caring company and is always looking for ways to 198
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contribute to community affairs and activities. Supporting local, social and charitable events through participation or through providing generous financial support.
Can you provide examples of new policies and procedures introduced by Banagas recently in order to further develop on the high service standards met with growing consumer demands? Banagas was recently awarded the ISO14001 certification for its excellent implementation of the Environmental Management System (EMS) and the ISO18001 certifications for the Occupational Health