ConocoPhillips celebrates a decade of innovation in Qatar

Doha: ConocoPhillips is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Global Water Sustainability Center (GWSC), the company’s designated Center of Excellence for water-related technologies. 

The GWSC’s creation in 2010, in partnership with Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), demonstrated a joint resolve, and a commitment from both entities, to address the pressing issue of water sustainability and create a comprehensive water research ecosystem to deliver genuine contributions to Qatar’s sustainable development. 

Over the last decade, the GWSC has evolved into a relevant problem-solver that addresses the needs of the industry, disseminating findings to the company’s global operations, as well as local government and industry partners. Its ongoing and future projects explore more efficient and cost-effective treatment technologies, and enhance sustainable industry practices worldwide, as well as enhance awareness of the broader community, in particular the young generation, on the value of water and the need for conservation. 

Reflecting on the milestone, Todd Creeger, president of ConocoPhillips Qatar, emphasised that water sustainability and conservation are key national priorities of Qatar’s development agenda and its goal of building a sustainable and diversified economy.  “We at ConocoPhillips understand that water management is at the core of sustainable oil and gas production — and that we have a role to play. As the largest liquefied natural gas exporter in the world, Qatar put a special focus on sustainable development and has become a scientific hub for oil and gas-related research. Bright minds in government, industry, and academia recognized the need to prioritize water security and have been collaborating to develop technologies that will preserve this precious resource for future generations,” said Creeger.  

With globally relevant applied research at the heart of its work, the GWSC focuses on exploring and qualifying novel water technologies to aid water management in the oil and gas industry and beyond. 

In the last decade, the Center acquired six patents, published over 30 peer-reviewed journal papers, and received multiple prestigious awards on research projects relevant to Qatar. It also conducted over 15 evaluations of innovative technologies related to oil and gas produced water management and seawater desalination, two of which were implemented full-scale at Qatargas. Such innovative technologies and water-related implementations that address operational challenges have saved the oil and gas industry millions of US dollars.

Owing its success to longstanding partnerships with industry, academic, and research hubs alike, the GWSC continually tackles the industry challenges to deliver fit-for-purpose, impactful solutions. The GWSC’s partners in the oil and gas industry, both in Qatar and abroad, utilize the Center’s unique analytical capabilities in support of their operations. 

CEO and chairman of ConocoPhillips Ryan Lance commented on the Center’s future: “When I think about the next decade and beyond for our company, I think our advancements in innovation and technology are going to be critical to not only our success, but also our survival as a company. We are really relying on this Center here in Qatar to help us globally around the world and conserve this precious resource for the world.”