Petrotec officials and VIPs during the inauguration of the new service and technology centre in Ras Laffan, yesterday.
Doha: Petroleum Technology (Petrotec), a 100 percent Qatari-owned company and one of the largest providers of products and services to Qatar’s energy sector, yesterday inaugurated its state-of-the-art service and technology centre valued at QR180m in Ras Laffan’s west support services area.
The opening ceremony of the facility was attended by major players in the oil and gas industry including the Vice-President of Industrial Cities at QatarEnergy Abdulaziz Al Muftah, Head of Tawteen at QatarEnergy Abdulaziz Al Ansari, and Head of Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC) at QatarEnergy Mohamed Al Sada, as well as officials and staff of Petrotec.
The facility will cater to the needs of the energy and utility sectors in terms of specialised maintenance, repair and overhauling services (MRO), and rental equipment.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event, Managing Director of Petrotec Group Clifford Lasrado said Qatar’s LNG expansion programme boosts the support services sector in the oil and gas industry. He added that the new facility, valued at QR180m including the building and the equipment and machineries, will support various industries in Qatar.
“We are going to continue investing and localising services. And there are many opportunities. What was only available overseas previously, we have been trying to bring locally as part of the country’s localisation drive. And I would especially like to thank QatarEnergy for creating the infrastructure in Ras Laffan’s west support services area and for their continued support during the pandemic,” said Lasrado.
He added: “Petrotec has always been keen in localising specialised services. And we also thank QatarEnergy for launching the Tawteen programme, and for proposing investment opportunities for service providers such as Petrotec. We are confident we can further expand our activities to complement the Qatar National Vision 2030 by providing key strategic services, further enhancing in-country value to the energy sector”.
Also speaking to The Peninsula, Co-founder and Co-owner of Petrotec Salah Al Jaidah said: “With the government initiative on Tawteen, this facility is definitely bringing services and building a base to support oil and gas, in-house locally, and close to the facilities. This is a long-term strategy, and it is here to stay. And it is here to service the future of oil and gas maintenance requirement for the State of Qatar”.
General Manager of Petrotec Operations Neil Dey told The Peninsula that the new facility will serve as a one-stop-shop for the energy sector.
Speaking about expansion plans, Dey said: “We’re always looking at areas where we can potentially expand and develop the key technical skills that we can provide in the region”.
He added: “We are proud to inaugurate this 42,000sqm state-of-the-art service centre, just outside RLIC. With increasing preference of our customers on localisation, improved turnaround time and cost optimisation, Petrotec’s ‘close-to-the customer strategy’ is providing significant value to Qatar’s energy sector. The facility includes capabilities for valve and actuator repair, pump overhaul, hydraulic equipment repair and hose fabrication, electrical and instrumentation services, rotating equipment and oil care services, chemical cleaning, calibration laboratories in addition to a large storage yard for cargo carrying units (CCUs), HVAC units and flowline associated equipment available for rental. The facility also includes 1,400sqm warehouse area, offices space and a large sand blasting and painting shop”.
According to Lasrado, Petrotec will open another service and technology centre in Salwa Road soon. “Also, we are already working in Oman and Kuwait as well. And we will be looking at new opportunities as well as in Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Established in 1989, Petrotec currently has over 600 employees representing more than 30 nationalities. The Company represents a key selection of world leading manufacturers and service companies in Qatar.
Petrotec has strengthened its position in the MRO market in Qatar by adding the new facility to its existing facilities in Street 39 and Street 35 in the Salwa Industrial Area in Doha.
