Qatar has launched US$1bn Jetty Boil-Off Gas Recovery (JBOG) project, largest in the world, that will reduce gas flaring by 90 per cent while loading at Ras Laffan LNG berths
Instead of the gas burning off, JBOG would collect the fuel and transport it to an area where it is compressed to be ready for use again either as LNG or fuel gas. As LNG is loaded on to the ships, around one per cent of it evaporates (boil off gas) due to the difference of temperature between the cold LNG and the warm ship tank. This boiled-off gas is flared or burnt at the berth because there is no outlet for the low-pressure gas. The JBOG Recovery Project allows the boiled off gas to be recovered.
According to Qatari officials, the project marks a major step towards conserving environment as the reduction is equivalent to annual greenhouse gas savings of 1.6mn tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to the annual GHG emissions of about 175,000 vehicles.
Chairman of Qatargas Saad Sherida Al Kaabi said, “Protecting the environment has always been a holistic commitment in everything Qatar Petroleum and its joint ventures do. This commitment is embodied in a number of initiatives, amongst which this project is the largest and most comprehensive with regards to protecting the environment and exploiting the natural resources of the state.
“The JBOG Project demonstrates the commitment of Qatar to balance industrial development with care for the environment and reinforces our pioneering and leadership role in the energy industry.”
The project is expected to save 821mn standard cu/m of gas per year, enough to power 300,000 homes or to produce 750 MW power and is part of the Common Facilities Projects at RLIC and is led and operated by Qatargas on behalf of Qatar Petroleum and RasGas Company Limited (RasGas).
CEO of Qatargas Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani said, “The JBOG Project is considered a landmark project for Qatar. Qatargas is committed to being a key contributor in the realisation of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 to have a proactive and significant international role in assessing the impact of climate change through the responsible production of LNG while protecting the environment for our future generations to come.”
Ras Laffan is the world’s largest LNG export terminal and the only facility where multiple LNG ships (six) can be loaded simultaneously. Since the plant started in October last year in RLIC, it has recovered gas from over 500 ships.
