Agreement affirms research potential with Qatar industry

With a strong reputation for being at the forefront of technology initiatives in the LNG industry, RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) has funded a research project with Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) to investigate wireless communication systems for drilling wells. At a ceremony held at the new Texas A&M Engineering Building, the agreement was signed by RasGas Managing Director (CEO), Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi and TAMUQ CEO and Dean, Dr. Mark Weichold. Prestigious guests, senior officials from both parties including Nafez Bseiso, RasGas Subsurface Group Manager and Chairman of the RasGas University Advisory Committee, a number of faculty and students were present at the ceremony. The research project, led by Dr. Scott Miller, a professor of electrical engineering at the College Station campus of Texas A&M, will develop improved techniques for acoustical wireless down-hole communication systems. Dr. Miller, along with Dr. Khalid Qaraqe and Dr. Slim Alouini, both electrical engineering faculty at Texas A&M University at Qatar, as well as Qatari national students at the Qatar campus, will work with engineers from industry to develop and implement state-of-the-art systems. As Qatar’s LNG industry gears up to meet a target of 77 million tons per annum (Mta) of LNG by 2012, accurate evaluation of producing wells is crucial. The project will carefully study and characterize acoustical communication techniques and evaluate the propagation of acoustic waves in a pipe that is installed inside a well. A prototype system will be designed based on the results of the propagation studies. The project will also develop specification for RasGas specific well construction.
“This research project is part of ongoing collaborations between Texas A&M University at Qatar and RasGas, and it highlights both entities’ commitment to research. With these funds from RasGas, our researchers will be able to conduct a thorough and meaningful investigation which will improve the oil and gas industry in the State of Qatar in a significant way,” said Dr. James Holste, associate dean for research and graduate studies at Texas A&M University at Qatar. In a short speech during the ceremony, Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, RasGas Managing Director (CEO) commented: “RasGas’ sponsorship of this project is yet another tangible step to further strengthening, not only the cooperation between RasGas and Texas A&M, but is a step towards strengthening the cooperation between Qatar industry and our educational institutions which will add significant value to Qatar’s future prosperity and growth.” The signing comes as a result of the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between TAMUQ and RasGas. The MoU covers the relationship between RasGas and TAMUQ in many areas of cooperation, including the terms of Summer Internship Programs, and the collaboration in research projects.
 “RasGas’ sponsorship of this project… is a step towards strengthening the cooperation between Qatar industry and our educational institutions which will add significant value to Qatar’s future prosperity and growth.” Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, RasGas Managing Director