Ambassador of Qatar is Welcomed to New Brunswick by Premier David Alward

FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, Jan. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - On Thursday, January 12, Ambassador Salem Mubarak Al-Shafi met with Premier David Alward during his first official visit to the Province of New Brunswick. His Excellency Ambassador Al-Shafi was accompanied in a private meeting with the Premier with representatives from Irving Oil, Repsol Energy Canada, Canaport LNG and Embassy of Qatar.

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His Excellency Al-Shafi is the first Ambassador from Qatar to Canada. New Brunswick was his first official Provincial visit since receiving his credentials in March of 2011. Repsol Energy Canada, along with its Canaport LNG partner Irving Oil, hosted the Ambassador's visit during the scheduled arrival of the Qatar Q-max Al-Ghuwairiya to the Canaport LNG facility.

"The relationship between Qatar and Canada is very important as LNG supplies from Qatar have now accounted for 42% of the LNG provided to Repsol at the Canaport LNG Facility and help to ensure secure energy supplies for the Maritimes Canada region," Phil Ribbeck, President of Repsol Energy Canada Ltd., informed the Premier and later the New Brunswick Ministers of Energy, Finance and Environment. Mr. Ribbeck further stated that "besides being the first LNG receiving and regasification facility in Canada and first facility on the east coast of North America to receive a Q-Max vessel, Canaport LNG recorded another first as it hosted the Qatar Ambassador's first visit to New Brunswick. We are extremely pleased the Ambassador chose Canaport LNG and New Brunswick as his first official venture outside of Ontario."

"I am here to express the interests of the State of Qatar to expand our relationship with the Province in the fields of energy, education and culture," said His Excellency, Ambassador Salem Mubarak Al-Shafi.

"The relationship with Qatar is an important one for our terminal," said Adolfo Azcarraga, Canaport LNG's General Manager. "Ambassador Al-Shafi was able to see first-hand the connection between Canada and Qatar through Canaport LNG and we were very pleased to have had the opportunity to host him."

The Ambassador arrived on January 11 and during his visit he met with local officials and Provincial officials establishing relationships which should bode well for New Brunswick. He will also be visiting UNB, the Irving refinery and touring Saint John and Fredericton.

SOURCE Repsol Energy Canada, Ltd.

Mary Usovicz, [phone]

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