Big Is Beautiful!

January 17, 2012 - Pilot Mark Jefferies poses alongside his EXTRA stunt aircraft in front of a giant Russian Ilyushin transporter in Bahrain recently. He will be performing this weekend at the Bahrain International Airshow. The event will also showcase the skills of the Russian Knights, an aerobatic demonstration team representing the Russian Air Force, that arrived at the Sakhir Air Base recently.

Key Steam Injection Project Is Launched

January 12, 2012 - Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza has opened Tatweer Petroleum's new Rubble Heavy Oil Steam Injection project. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Tatweer chief executive Dr Ed Hanley, its executive management, Banagas chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and other guests. This is the first time that steam has been injected into an oil reservoir in the Bahrain Field. This will enable Bahrain to produce oil from the Rubble reservoir, which is located approximately 1,600 feet below the surface. The injected steam will help in heating up the oil and make it much easier to flow out of the reservoir. Tatweer's first steam injection pilot project is a test to see if oil production can be improved by the injection of steam. If successful, it will be commissioned on a wider scale in the Bahrain Field. Dr Mirza congratulated Tatweer for this achievement in introducing the new technology to the Bahrain Field and allowing the kingdom to reach its resources more efficiently. This project is one of many that Tatweer has commissioned in the field and comes in less than a month from the second phase of its new gas compression station in the Bahrain Field. Meanwhile, Dr Mirza yesterday met a delegation of senior officials from international oil company Chevron. He praised efforts of the company in the oil and gas sector. Dr Mirza also hailed co-operation between the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) and Chevron, as well as the historical relations between Bahrain and the company. The minister stressed the importance of co-operation and exchange of expertise between Chevron and Bahrain's national oil companies under the administration of the Nogaholding Company for the benefit of the oil sector. Dr Mirza discussed with the delegation the role of Chevron in the production of oil and gas in the kingdom and several other issues. The meeting was attended by Bapco chief executive Gordon Smith and members of the executive management.

Bahrain May Set Up Anti-Corruption Panel

January 12, 2012 - BAHRAIN could be set to create an independent commission to fight corruption. The Bahrain Transparency Society (BTS) says although the country ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) last year, it will need to take further steps to ensure it meets its obligations. "It binds the signatory to establish an independent commission on corruption and have local legislation to enforce it, but this hasn't happened yet," said BTS president Abdulnabi Al Ekri. "They are now accountable, they are a party and bound by this treaty and they have to make a report in 2014 on its implementation." The BTS called for a commission to be set up in 2008 and a draft law to establish one was submitted by Al Wefaq, but has since been shelved. Mr Al Ekri said the Financial Integrity Law was the only anti-corruption legislation that had been passed, but it was not applicable to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa or the Financial Audit Bureau chief. "But actually this law isn't being implemented because I haven't heard of any minister, including the ministers who came after this law was passed, who declared his fortune," said Mr Al Ekri. "We need dramatic change in the political environment because now there is imbalance, if you have reforms there will be new government and new parliament." Mr Al Ekri said corruption in the country needed to be tackled seriously and the extent of the problem could be seen in Bahrain's ranking in Transparency International's 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index. He said although it had moved up two places, the country was still not doing enough to combat corruption in government and private sectors. Mr Al Ekri said recent examples of corruption happened during the unrest and also referred to the privatisation of public land and alleged corruption in Alba and Gulf Air, among other state companies. "Bahrain advanced two places, from 48 to 46 (in the report), but still it's in the red line because if you are more than 30 in the ranking you are in the red line," said Mr Al Ekri. "There is a little improvement but still this needs to be addressed." Mr Al Ekri said corruption had become a worldwide issue and many countries were taking measures to address their problems and Bahrain would do well to follow suit. "Worldwide there is awareness about corruption, it is a world crisis now, it has toppled two elected prime ministers in Greece and Italy, it is unprecedented," he said. "Corru- ption is like a beast eating the international economy and ordinary people's interests. "In 2010 and 2011 there was a worldwide move to acknowledge corruption, to dig in to that, especially by international financial institutions. "There are measures taken at the international level, one of the results is the return of fortunes and assets, particularly in the Arab world and Africa."

Health Sector Jobs Push For Bahrainis

January 06, 2012 - An agreement to train and employ 92 Bahrainis in a range of healthcare disciplines has been signed between Tamkeen and the King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH). The initiative is part of efforts to create more employment opportunities for locals in the sector.The agreement was signed by Tamkeen chief executive officer Mahmood Al Kooheji and KHUH director Brigadier-General Dr Shaikh Salman bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa in the presence of representatives of both the establishments at Tamkeen headquarters in Sanabis. Tamkeen will contribute nearly BD1.47 million during a five-year period, with training split into three- and four-year courses depending on the desired specialty and degree. Candidates must be Bahraini high school graduates with an accumulated score of 80 per cent and above. Training will be provided by the College of Health Sciences and the Royal College for Surgeons in Ireland for specialties available in Bahrain such as nursing, laboratory sciences, radiology and pharmacology. Students wishing to study other specialties not available in Bahrain will be sent abroad. Tamkeen signed a similar agreement with KHUH in September to train and employ 117 Bahraini students as healthcare assistants.

 

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