Qatar Petroleum joins global innovation group

Earlier this year, the ITF launched a Middle East cluster group in order to focus on region-specific challenges, which include water management, heavy oil, asset integrity and enhanced oil recovery. QP suggested that its key interests in joining the organisation laid in the group’s approach as an end user and as a technology developer.

Qatar Petroleum research and technology manager, Dr Nasser AL-Mohannadi, remarked, “Joining ITF is an important step in working together with other international and national oil and gas companies in the GCC region.

“The sharing of knowledge and collaborating on research and technology development will allow us to establish joint industry projects that directly target the needs of industry in the region.”

The not-for-profit organisation has 30 global oil and gas operator and service company members, with other Middle Eastern members including Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and Saudi Aramco subsidiary Aramco Services Company.

ITF regional director in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, Ryan McPherson, commented, “Qatar Petroleum is joining us as we are forging ahead in the Middle East, with our first call for proposals for this region issued on the subject of produced water, which was identified by members as a key priority.

“By acting as the honest broker between end users and technology developers, we can help members share the costs and risks associated with bringing new technology to market,” he added.