Press Release

Shell Announces Research and Technology Centre in Qatar

Doha, Qatar, 13 February 2005 - The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (Shell) announced today the technology programme they plan to implement as anchor tenant in Qatar Foundation's Science & Technology Park in Doha. Shell plans a substantial expenditure of up to 100 million US dollars over a 10-year period for its activities in the Science & Technology Park.

Following a meeting with Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar and Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, an agreement for a 10 year lease was signed in Doha on behalf of the Qatar Foundation by His Excellency Dr Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Member of the Board of the Qatar Foundation and by Linda Cook, Executive Director Gas & Power, Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, for Qatar Shell Services Company W.L.L..  Shell is the first future tenant to sign such an agreement.

The name unveiled today of Shell's future facility at the Science & Technology Park is 'Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre'

"The signing of this agreement and the announcement of Shell's programme mark two significant milestones in the development of Qatar Foundation's Science & Technology Park," stated HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned.  "I am pleased with Shell's strong commitment to the development and transfer of technology in Qatar and am confident that our partnership with Shell will contribute to the development of significant new technologies in the energy field at the Science &Technology Park, which will help Qatar to become a knowledge leader in the oil and gas industry."

Jeroen van der Veer added: "I am delighted to be in Qatar at this milestone event which strengthens the partnership between Qatar and Shell on technology. Shell is committed to the development of the Science & Technology Park and we expect this facility to become one of our company's centres of excellence in the world. I would like to express our gratitude to Her Highness and His Highness the Emir for providing Shell with the opportunity to contribute to this world-class project, and I look forward to continue to build our relationship for the benefit of both the State of Qatar and Shell."

Qatar Foundation's Science & Technology Park will be located within Education City and construction of the facilities commenced in December 2004.  Qatar Foundation expects the Science & Technology Park to be opened in early 2006.  The Science & Technology Park will provide Shell (and other tenants) with a high quality environment for applied research. This strongly supports the establishment of Shell's extensive technology programme announced today.  These facilities consist of office and laboratory space, technology-related services, and support programmes for commercialising technology.  Tenants of the Science & Technology Park will also enjoy the benefits of one of Qatar's first free-trade zones and close links with world class academic resources located at Education City.

Shell, as a committed technology partner of Qatar and global leader in technological development and innovation in the oil and gas industry, is bringing a world-class technology programme to Qatar, a move which has been facilitated by the development of Qatar's Science & Technology Park. The Centre will be part of Shell's global research and technology organisation and will commence operation in early 2006. The activities of the Centre will initially focus on Upstream and Gas to Liquids (GTL) technologies; technical services; and a related training centre.

Shell's upstream technology programme will build on the company's global knowledge and expertise in developing and producing oil and gas world-wide. The activities will concentrate on developing and utilising technology for sophisticated modelling of subsurface reservoirs to enhance the utilisation of oil and natural gas resources. In addition Shell will work on developing and implementing new technologies to enhance production from oil and gas fields.

As a leader in Gas to Liquids (GTL) technology, Shell will bring a cutting-edge GTL R&D programme to Qatar. This part of the programme will be based on Shell's extensive experience and know-how in the GTL field and will focus on catalyst testing, product development, and GTL by-product research, including sulphur management.

Activities in the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre will be complemented with technical services and a training centre to enable sharing of technology and best practices.  These services will target both Shell companies and third parties in Qatar and the region.

Carlos Ibarguen
Qatar Shell
+974 4839850

Ben Figgis
Qatar Science & Technology Park
+974 492 7130
bfiggis@qstp.org.qa