Press Release

ExxonMobil Announces New LNG Research Facility in Qatar

Doha, May 31, 2004 - ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, today announced plans to establish the ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) centre as an anchor tenant at the Science & Technology Park (STP) in Education City, Qatar.  Start-up plans include an estimated $20-25 million investment over the first five years. 

STP is being developed by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (Qatar Foundation) and is intended to create an internationally recognized hub for research and commercialization.  In doing so it will provide accommodation and services to organizations engaged in research, product development and training, and will host a business incubator to support start-up technology companies.  EMRQ will house offices, laboratories and a training area to conduct LNG research in areas of common interest to both the State of Qatar and ExxonMobil.  The institute will focus on environmental and safety projects and management systems that will help Qatar maintain its global leadership as its LNG industry continues to grow.  

EMRQ will function in collaboration with ExxonMobil's existing research programs. Mr. Stephen Cassiani, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company said, "We are pleased to take this next step in defining our participation in the Science and Technology Park and in support of Qatar's vision to build a center of educational and scientific excellence.  Qatar is well on its way to becoming the largest LNG supplier in the world, and is experiencing unparalleled industrial growth.  The EMRQ is aimed at providing technologies applicable across multiple Qatar LNG projects.  These technologies will help ensure the highest standards of safety within the world's largest gas processing and liquefaction facilities.  The pace of Qatar industrial growth heightens the need for a clear understanding of industrial/environmental interactions and a need for technologies to ensure environmental effects are successfully managed.  Examples of potential research areas appropriate for the EMRQ are refinement and application of human factors in LNG plants, novel sulfur management technologies, and cost effective technologies to manage water use and discharge in an environmentally acceptable manner."

"We are pleased that ExxonMobil is the first company to announce a specific program to launch in the Science & Technology Park," said Dr. Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Board Member of Qatar Foundation.  "ExxonMobil is world renowned for its technological and research capabilities and excellence in environmental and safety performance and this new research initiative will help Qatar stay on the leading edge in its current and future LNG developments."

The STP in Education City is an initiative promoted by the Qatar Foundation, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Consort of His Highness the Emir. The STP was established to promote academic and industry relations, foster innovation and facilitate the development and use of technology.  With quality infrastructure, access to technology and human resources, business incentives, free zone status and located in the heart of a rapidly growing region, STP offers an ideal location for R&D activity and technology businesses.

ExxonMobil spends more than $600M annually on research and development, the highest of any company in the industry.  The corporation employs some 20,000 scientists and engineers, nearly 2,000 of whom hold Ph.D. degrees in a variety of disciplines.  This commitment to new technology has brought ExxonMobil more than 10,000 patents in the United States and Europe in the last decade alone.

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