HRH The Duke Of York and Mike O'Brien QC MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change joined HH The Emir for the 6 April inauguration of the Qatargas 2 project that will send Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) for regasification in Wales.

Media coverage of the inauguration:

• Gulf Times, 7 April
• Peninsula, 7 April
• Qatar Tribune, 7 April

The main destination for the LNG will be the specially built South Hook terminal located in the deep-water port of Milford Haven. From there the gas will find its way to customers in the UK natural gas market. Qatargas 2 is capable of providing up to 20 percent of the UK's natural gas needs.

Speaking beforehand at a gala dinner hosted by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy and Industry Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, HRH The Duke of York praised what he said was a "massive achievement for Qatar":

"For the UK, this project represents security of our energy supply. We know we can rely on Qatar to heat our homes and drive our industry. In turn, we hope to provide Qatar with a stable market for years to come. I was lucky enough to be present at the laying of the foundation stone at Ras Laffan in February 2005, and I feel I have now seen the project through to its end.

"The UK values our friendship with Qatar and I know that the people of South Hook have forged a close bond with the Qatari friends and colleagues."

Speaking to local media at Ras Laffan, Minister of State O'Brien stressed the importance of this project for the UK, saying "Qatar is going to be our major source of gas in future ... I am excited to see Qatar's supplies heat some 24 million homes in the UK".

In a video message congratulating the State of Qatar on this historic occasion, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, "I had the honour of visiting Ras Laffan City back in November, and I was immensely impressed by the achievements of Qatargas in building the world's largest liquefied natural gas network capable of meeting up to 20 per cent of Britain's natural gas needs and providing a secure and reliable energy supply to our country and our people".