First-Ever QAFAC Workshop on MTBE

Doha, April 23 (QNA) -A historic milestone in the oil and gas industry in Qatar and the region kicked off here on Tuesday as the first-ever 'QAFAC MTBE Workshop: Clean Fuel, Clean Air' - is to be held from 8 am to 1 pm, at the Sharq Village Hotel in Doha. Under the Patronage of HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada, the Minister of Energy and Industry, who is also Chairman of Qatar Petroleum Board of Directors and Managing Director, the workshop is organised by Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (QAFAC) - the leading producer and exporter of Methanol and MTBE in Qatar. The speakers at the workshop include Hamad Rashid Al-Mohannadi, Vice Chairman, Qatar Petroleum Board of Directors, Chairman, Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (QAFAC), and Chief Executive Officer, RasGas Company Limited; Nasser Jeham Al- Kuwari, General Manager, Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (QAFAC); Mr. Robert P. McBean, Executive Chairman, Wentworth Resources Ltd.; Mr. Clarence Woo, Executive Director, Asian Clean Fuels Association (ACFA); Dr. Graeme Wallace, Director General, The European Fuel Oxygenates Association (EFOA); and Mr. Alex Leong, Vice President; Business Development- Asia; Safety, Health & Environment- Asia, AECOM. An impressive line-up of speakers from across the globe are expected to lead the discussion by sharing information, knowledge, and expertise on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), the most widely used oxygenate as octane enhancer in gasoline. Among the benefits which participants are expected to acquire from the workshop include Increased industry and stakeholder's knowledge and awareness on MTBE, enhanced relationships and networking amongst stakeholders dealing with MTBE in Qatar, the region and across the globe, and the formal establishment of a forum for discussing and sharing of knowledge and expertise on MTBE now and in the future. Following the phase-out of lead as an octane enhancer in gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by harmful tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles, most gasoline refiners globally have chosen to use MTBE over other oxygenates primarily for its blending characteristics and cost-efficiency. Additionally, as the domestic and regional gasoline market continues to grow with the construction of a new gasoline refinery at Ras Laffan Industrial City, MTBE has an important role to play in the production of gasoline to the Euro 5 standards of clean fuel aimed at improving air quality. In an address before the workshop, Hamad Rashid Al-Mohannadi said, Since the 1970s , many governments and regions have banned gasoline containing lead additives . And today, leaded gasoline has already been phased out in most countries with the united nationss target for a complete global phase out set for this year 1013. " The elimination of leaded gasoline is an immense accomplishment and will be remembered as one of the major environmental achievements of the past few decades, a hitoric feat indeed for the global community", said al mohannadi. Elaborating Al-Mohannadi he said," As the quest for a suitable replacement for lead began , the pursuit of new octane enhancers that at the same time reduces toxix emissions becanse the topmost priority .Since then, MTBE has become an intelligent choice.A convenient , technologically-advanced and economical oxygenate alternative that is easy-to-blend, cost-effective , and is essentially a drop -in blending component for refineries, MTBE also produces the necessary high octane required in gasoline to ensure smooth and easier burning. Undoubtedly, one of the simplest, quickest and most cost effective ways to produce cleaner air is to use cleaner fuel. This has been clearly demonstrated by the experience of clean air programs in North America, Europe and Asia. As countries move toward more stringent vehicle and engine requirements, fuel quality becomes more important in terms of preserving the functionality of vehicles and engines, Sulphur-free and metal-free fuels remain critical prerequisites for ultraclean and efficient emission control systems. And as fuel properties play a key role in vehicle and engine emissions and performance, the most advanced vehicles and engines require only the best quality fuel. Thus, MTBE is today the most commonly used oxygenate all over the world. "Additionally, as the domestic and regional gasoline market continues to grow, and with the construction of a new gasoline refinery at Ras Laffan Industrial City, MTBE has an important role to play in the Production of gasoline that meets the Euro 5 standards", Al-Mohannadi told the workshop attendees. For his part, Nasser Jeham Al-kuwari, General Manager of QAFAC welcomed all participants at the event in his opening speech. He also talked about QAFAC's vision of being a major producer of Methanol and MTBE, with a high priority in promoting safe and environment-friendly production, storage, handling and usage of these products. "Following our exceptional performance in 2012 and looking forward to an even better 2013, we strongly believe that a platform for the comprehensive discussion of MTBE such as the QAFAC MTBE Worship: Clean air is essential, not just for the region, but also globally' Al Kuwari said. "It is paramount that all stakeholders must better understand MTBE and maximize its benefits in today's environment-conscious society. Nasser Jeham Al-Kuwari further said, "Consistent with QAFAC's unwavering commitment to safety and the environment, we have taken the lead in this region to promote an in-depth understanding and further raise awareness about MTBE." ... "As such, we are excited about the prospects of a highly informative and constructive workshop, as well as welcoming all its participants to this wonderful city of Doha." Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (QAFAC) was established as a Qatari joint stock company to build, own and operate facilities in Mesaieed, Qatar for the production of methanol and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) for sale to customers worldwide. Addressing the workshop , Clarence Woo, Executive Director, Asian Clean Fuels Association (ACFA) on his part, said in his presentation that MTBE has never been classified as toxic or carcinogenic by any regulatory body anywhere in the world. "it is a safe and beneficial gasoline component" Said Woo. Significantly , tighter vehicle emission standards and fuel quality legislation will support MTBE's long term viability and sustainability in Asia's fuels landscape". Woo further indicated that the European union conducted a three year MTBE risk assessment based on 20-years of European MTBE usage and research from which they concluded that MTBE is a sage and beneficial gasoline component. "All these reputable bodies- the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the World Health Organization(WHO), the European Union, the National Toxicology Program of the US department of Health and Human Services, the National Research Council, and the office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of the State of California, have found no sufficiently compelling reason to classify MTBE as a possible cancer-causing agent for humans" Woo added.(END)