TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA AS part of its efforts to preserve the marine life in Qatari waters, RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) is highlighting the recently undertaken ‘Coral Relocation’ project at the QP Environment Fair, which is being held at the Doha Exhibition Centre.

The RasGas stand at the environment fair runs a special video on the project, through which the company has successfully relocated the corals that were living along the proposed pipeline route of the Barzan Gas Project before the construction began.

RasGas Managing Director Hamad Rashid al Mohannadi said RasGas was strongly committed to sustainable development and the principles inscribed in the Qatar National Vision 2030 that will guide Qatar to a stable and prosperous future.

“I am pleased that RasGas, in consultation with the ministry of environment, has undertaken this major project.

Together with our shareholders, Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil, we are striving to strike a balance between Qatar’s economic development and protection of our marine heritage and bio-diversity,” he said.

RasGas Venture Group Manager Nafez Bseizo said the Barzan Project, which is managed by RasGas, will be a key and strategic supplier for the future growth of Qatar.

Brett Doherty, RasGas safety, health, environment and quality group manager, said the project is an excellent example of RasGas’ commitment to sustainable development and ensuring that tomorrow’s society can enjoy the bio-diversity that today’s society enjoys.

“Corals are known as rain forests of the sea. Qatari waters are rich with different types of species such as marine mammals, star fishes and sponges. Coral reefs protect Qatar shoreline from excessive waves. They are a habitat for fish stocks, a shelter where marine life can breed and feed,” said Hassan Ibrahim, RasGas environmental affairs department manager.

“The Barzan Project connects the offshore gas reserves with Qatar via an 80-km-long pipeline. It’s a vital project for the country’s natural gas industry and we have relocated the corals that were found along the pipeline route,” he said.

RasGas had hired Continental Shelf Associates International (CSA) to conduct an environmental survey to estimate how the corals will be impacted by the pipeline.

When no suitable habitat could be found out near the Barzan site where the corals can be moved, RasGas had CSA create a new home for the corals.

More than 500 tonnes of limestone boulders were brought in to an area where currents and temperature would favour the corals’ survival.

Once placed, they became a stable, natural surface on which to attach the corals.

Over three months, the CSA team worked in Qatar’s cold sea water. They removed the corals and transported them to the reattachment site.