(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The recently released fifth edition of RasGas' comprehensive Sustainability Report 2013, has been subjected to an independent assurance review by Ernst & Young Qatar, giving increased confidence in the information and data presented in the publication, a mandatory annual exercise to comply with Global Reporting Initiative protecting environment.
The report will be available for the first time in both English and Arabic using a new content management system. The report with the theme, 'Embracing Our Responsibilities', closely tracks the company's approach to sustainability while engaging with its various stakeholders on its performance, challenges and strategic choices.
Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi, CEO of RasGas, said: "RasGas is aware of the importance of its role as a steward of resources made available to us by our country, our shareholders and the community at large. We work very hard to embrace this responsibility to develop Qatar's hydrocarbon resources and in doing so we have made a significant contribution to the State's economic growth and prosperity."
He attributed RasGas' success to a strong system of governance, founded on clear values and robust management systems and business processes. This report highlights the steps taken by the company to be a responsible and accountable corporate citizen that is committed to integrity and transparency.
RasGas continued to maintain a safe workplace for its employees and contractors. The company's lost-time injury rate (LTIR) was 0.01 in 2013. In its Ras Laffan operations, specific initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, gas flaring, other air pollutants and waste treatment contributed to improved environmental performance. RasGas also achieved its highest operational reliability, at more than 99 per cent, in delivering products to customers.
"A vital part of responsible operations involves caring for people, both employees and contract workers. We do not tolerate harassment or intimidation in the workplace. We pay close attention to the welfare of our workers and we have developed, with our prime contractor, a wide range of camp-related procedures for their safety, health and security," Al Mohannadi said. These procedures include occupational hygiene, health and safety programmes. In order to ensure compliance, RasGas carries out regular audits and inspection. This is all the more important because the company subcontracts more than 30,000 workers from 45 different nationalities currently working on the Barzan Gas Project.
The company's unwavering adherence to safety has paid off as its Venture Group chalked up more than 100 million man-hours without a lost time incident (LTI) in 2013. The record is all the more commendable because of the size, scale and complexity of projects and operations the company is currently managing, from the recently completed Helium 2 facility to the ongoing Barzan Gas Project.
In terms of social outreach and corporate citizenship, RasGas' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which focuses on one key theme each year, was dedicated to education in 2013. The programme promoted numerous reading, literacy, technology and innovation initiatives involving employees and the community.
The report was prepared in accordance with guidelines on sustainability reporting from shareholder company QP and adopts guidance specific to the oil and gas industry.
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