Gulf Intelligence Water Security Forum to discuss Qatar's water challenges

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)

DOHA: The Gulf IntelligenceQatar Industry Water Security Forum scheduled to be held at Qatar University’s Research Complex on April 25 will discuss the best strategies for tackling Qatar’s water challenge . Key stakeholders in industry government and academia will attend the Forum.

The challenge of bettering Qatar’s long-term water security is the third of Qatar’s three Grand Research and Development (R&D) Challenges along with energy security and cyber security. The Gulf Intelligence Forum will focus on the best R&D strategies for innovative technologies that can streamline water management and desalination techniques in Qatar – the clock is ticking and defining efficient strategies is imperative. Cooperation within industry and industry’s cooperation with government and academia is critical. Qatar only receives on average seven inches of rain per year and 99% of the country’s municipal demand is fed by desalinated seawater – an expensive process.

“A holistic approach is vital when it comes to resolving water scarcity issues in Qatar and beyond. Collaboration between industry government and academia is key to giving the right message to both industries and communities on how best to use water in the future” said Hassan Al Derham President of Qatar University (QU). “Water scarcity is not a problem that will go away and change is inevitable. How we make that change economical and sustainable is what really counts.” The oil and gas industry is by far the largest industrial user of freshwater accounting for more than 15 percent of global usage. Improving the economic value of water usage in Qatar’s industries is rapidly climbing companies’ agendas be it by recycling reusing or reducing the consumption of water. The economics behind better water management has come under an even brighter spotlight due to the negative impact of lower oil prices since June 2014; energy companies are streamlining budgets.

“It is a part of Total’s commitment to support Qatari stakeholders in their move to a more sustainable management of water resources and through open discussions and fruitful exchanges we hope to identify promising ways for efficient reuse of water during oil and gas production” said Pierre Montaud Director of Total Research Centre Qatar (TRCQ) “After a collaboration with QEERI on advanced characterization of produced water we have now initiated a Research partnership with Qatar University for beneficial re-use for irrigation. This effort is a contribution to global water security. Such partnerships are a great example of collaboration and capacity building” he continued.

During the Gulf Intelligence Qatar Industry Water Security Forum the top 100 stakeholders impacting water security in Qatar will provide recommendations that address critical questions regarding Qatar’s future; Produced Water Industry Consumption Desalination and Water Technology. The final recommendations put forward during the Forum will be compiled to create an R&D roadmap that betters Qatar’s long-term water security.The Peninsula