Qatar replaces oil minister in cabinet shakeup

Wednesday, 19 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Qatar removed its long-serving oil minister Abdullah Al Attiyah from his post in the world’s largest natural gas exporter and replaced him with Mohammed Saleh Al Sada, Qatar’s state media said on Tuesday.

Al Attiyah, who served as Qatar’s minister of Energy and Industry since 1992, was named head of the ruler’s court and will retain his title as Deputy Prime Minister, according to a decree.

Al Sada took the oath of office on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by Al Attiyah and Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar News Agency said.

Qatar’s new oil minister previously served as the junior minister for energy and industry affairs.

Since 2006, Al Sada has been the Managing Director of RasGas Company, which operates the Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company.

Al Sada is also the vice chairman of the Board of Qatar Chemical Company (Q-Chem) and Qatar Steel Company (Qasco). He previously was the technical director at Qatar Petroleum, where he worked for over two decades.

There will be no change to Qatar’s energy policy in the wake of the replacement, a Qatar energy ministry official said. “There will be no change to the oil policy. Our ship is sailing very smoothly so why should there be any change?” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“All the major oil projects have been announced so everything should be calm and smooth.” – Reuters