OPEC Secretary General Condoles Iranian Oil Minister over Bandar Abbas Explosion
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) expressed his condolences and sympathy to Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad following an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas.
Haitham Al-Ghais wrote in his message to Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad,"It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the recent explosion in Bandar Abbas, which resulted in casualties, injuries, and significant damage."
During this difficult time, on behalf of OPEC, "I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to you, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and all those affected by this devastating incident."
"We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims and the injured, praying for their full and swift recovery. May the resilience of the Iranian people bring comfort and hope in the days ahead. Please accept my highest regards and respect,” he said. - Mehr
30/04/2025
Muscat to Host OPES 2025
Leading industry leaders, policymakers, and energy pioneers from across the globe will discuss key topics including energy transition, decarbonisation and sustainable oil and gas operations at the upcoming Oman Petroleum & Energy Show (OPES) 2025 in Muscat.
To be held under the theme ‘Navigating the energy transition through innovation in oil and gas’, OPES 2025 will offer unparalleled opportunities to the participants to learn about the latest advancements in oil, gas and energy across the highly anticipated SPE Conference and OPES Talks, said the organisers.
The high-level SPE Conference at OPES 2025 hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), will feature in-depth technical discussions on the latest advancements in oil, gas, and energy transition strategies.
With experts addressing enhanced recovery methods, digital transformation, carbon capture, and decarbonisation, the conference provides a crucial knowledge-sharing platform for professionals driving the future of energy.
OPES Talks will once again be held as part of the 2025 event, serving as a dynamic forum for visionary ideas, industry insights, and future-focused discussions, featuring global thought leaders, CEOs, and policymakers addressing the most pressing energy challenges.
The free-to-attend strategic and technical sessions at OPES Talks will explore various topics including energy transition and decarbonization, renewable energy development, digital transformation, and future of LNG in Oman.
OPES Talks will witness working technical papers and insights from key industry leaders across Oman’s energy sector from both public and private sector including, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Petroleum Development Oman, bp, OQEP, Shell Development Oman, Gulf Energy, Oxy and a lineup of international speakers from the energy sectors across Europe, US, Mena Region and Asia.
Highlighting the significance of these discussions, Ashley Roberts, Managing Director at Connect, said: "Oman Petroleum & Energy Show’s OPES Talks provide a valuable platform for industry professionals to gain insights from experts, expand their knowledge, and earn CPD accreditation - all free to attend."
With participation from leading global energy companies, government bodies, and industry experts, OPES 2025 promises to be a game-changing event for Oman’s energy sector, stated Roberts. OPES is committed to fostering learning and innovation in the energy sector, he added.
30/04/2025
Saudi Red Sea Global Launches Region's Largest Ornamental Plants Nursery
Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the Red Sea and Amaala destinations, has announced the launch of Botanica, an environmental nursery that serves as a green oasis dedicated to cultivating sustainable and climate-resilient plants in the kingdom.
Covering over 1.8 million sqm, Botanica is the largest nursery in the region specialising in ornamental plants and landscape design, said a statement from RSG.
It represents a core part of RSG’s commitment to placing nature at the heart of development and setting an example in sustainability, it stated.
The nursery symbolises innovation in environmental preservation by integrating cutting-edge agricultural technologies with a sustainable vision aimed at restoring natural ecosystems across the Red Sea region and beyond.
By focusing on the cultivation of native, drought-resistant plants and transforming arid land into thriving green spaces, Botanica contributes to enriching Saudi Arabia's biodiversity, it added.
On the launch, Group CEO John Pagano said: "This project is more than just a nursery. It is a strategic initiative to revive the kingdom’s biodiversity through the adoption of eco-friendly agricultural practices and the cultivation of plants adapted to local conditions."
"We are laying the foundation for a greener and more sustainable future," he stated.
Since it began operations in 2020, Botanica has produced over 7 million plants to support landscaping at the Red Sea and Amaala destinations, with plans to reach 30 million plants by 2030.
The nursery is known for its rich plant diversity, with all species undergoing rigorous evaluations to ensure compatibility with the local ecosystem.
Starting March 30, 2025, Botanica will open its doors to visitors, offering interactive experiences that showcase the nursery’s beauty and natural environment, said RSG in a statement.
These include guided tours to learn about different plant species and cultivation methods, planting workshops that contribute to expanding green spaces, a café offering nature-inspired healthy meals, a specialized garden shop, and a petting zoo where visitors can encounter local animals, it stated.
Approximately 400 people are employed at Botanica, 25% of whom are from the Red Sea region, reflecting RSG's commitment to sustainable development and local community empowerment.
In addition to supplying plants for RSG's tourism projects, Botanica also supports landscaping initiatives across the Kingdom, said Pagano.
"We call upon those interested in experiencing Botanica's offerings to book their visits and explore its educational and recreational programs, which promote environmental awareness and foster a deeper connection between communities and nature," he added.
30/04/2025
Innovative Tech Helps Qatar Advance Sustainable Desalination
Qatar is actively enhancing the sustainability of its desalination sector through the integration of advanced technologies and renewable energy sources. Guillermo Hijós, an expert in the water desalination sector and the Desalination Director for the Middle East and Oceania at the Water business of Acciona told The Peninsula that these initiatives aim to reduce energy consumption and minimise environmental impacts, ensuring a reliable and eco-friendly water supply for the nation.
In a significant move towards operational efficiency, the organisation has implemented its Maestro AI platform at Qatar’s Umm Al Houl plant, which has a capacity of more than 500,000 m³/day, while the Ras Abu Fontas 3 plant supplies 165,000 m³/day, thus obtaining ISO 50001 energy management system certification for the desalination plants.
Both plants, operated by the firm for Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), have a drinking water supply capacity equivalent to 2.9 million inhabitants and have the largest capacity to date, consolidating its position as a key part of the country’s water supply system.
“Through these concerted efforts, Qatar is making significant strides towards a more sustainable and efficient desalination sector, balancing its water needs with environmental stewardship,” the market expert said.
Hijós mentioned that this marks the company’s first international certification of its kind, underscoring the dedication toward Qatar’s energy efficiency and sustainable practices in the operation of desalination facilities.
With the Middle East producing a substantial portion of the world’s brine, effective management strategies are crucial. Researchers emphasise the importance of integrating renewable energy, advanced technologies, and water conservation practices to mitigate the environmental impact of brine disposal.
Qatar is also investing in solar energy to power parts of its desalination operations. While still at an early stage, projects under the QNV 2030 aim to integrate solar photovoltaic systems with desalination units to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Additionally, the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) has developed a Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) pilot plant in Dukhan, demonstrating higher efficiency compared to conventional methods. This technology consumes merely 4.5 kWh/m³, significantly lower than the 12 kWh/m³ required by traditional thermal desalination processes, thus reducing both energy usage and operational costs.
“This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to improving the energy performance of its facilities and implementing advanced technological solutions that enable more efficient and sustainable operations. Obtaining the internationally recognized ISO 50001 certification validates Acciona’s energy efficiency policies, as well as its ongoing efforts to achieve the highest standards in operational management,” Hijós added.
With this certification, it reinforces the leadership in Qatar’s water sector, consolidating its transition to a low-CO2 economy.
30/04/2025
Yemeni Coffee Brand Opens Cafe in Fairfax City
A Yemeni coffee brand has taken the first step in an expansion to the D.C. area. Haraz Coffee House kicked off a soft opening today (Monday) for its first location near the nation’s capital. The cafe is housed in Fairfax City’s Fairfax Junction, formerly known as the Westfair Shopping Center.
The new cafe is located at 11015 Lee Highway, right next to fellow newcomer The Alley, which began serving bubble tea out of the shopping center in November. Boasting “authentic flavors of Yemen,” Haraz’s menu features traditional ingredients like ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. Patrons can order options like Harazi Mufawar (coffee with cream and cardamom), Maleki (coffee with cream, ginger and cinnamon) and a multitude of other beverages.
“A cornerstone of [CEO Hamzah Nasser]’s vision is his commitment to sourcing organic coffee directly from Yemen,” the brand’s website says. “Haraz partners with Yemeni farmers, providing them with vital support and a sustainable market for their coffee.”
In-store, Haraz also offers pastries, such as the drizzled-with-Nutella Istanbul cheesecake and Bee Bites, which are slices of dough filled with cream cheese, toasted and drizzled with honey. The brand also offers a multitude of other items for sale, including coffee bean blends to-go, machines and more.
The new location is the latest for the rapidly expanding chain, which opened its first location in 2021. Haraz now boasts 19 locations nationwide, with plans coming for expansion into Canada and the Middle East. Like most of its locations, Haraz’s Fairfax City location is open daily from 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Yemen has been credited as the birthplace of the modern coffee industry, though its production and distribution chains have been hampered by the country’s decade-old civil war. Another chain specializing in Yemeni coffee, Qamaria, opened its doors in Vienna last year.
30/04/2025