CCUS Forum

Under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nasser Al-Thani Minister of Environment and Climate Change
تحت الرعاية الكريمة لسعادة الشيخ الدكتور فالح بن ناصر آل ثاني وزير البيئة والتغير المناخي

"Alone we can do so little,
together we can do so much"

Helen Keller

Strategic Partners

The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development is an RDI entity spearheading MENA region’s sustainability milieu and is targeting all the relevant dimensions supporting the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.

The Global Carbon Council is a voluntary carbon offsetting program that aims to assist organisations in reducing their carbon footprint. It supports sectors of the economy to diversify by adopting low-carbon pathways, catalysing climate action on the ground.

Knowledge Partner

Technical Steering Committee

President and GM 1PointFive International

Executive Chairman & Founder

VP Europe and Middle East

Methodologies Manager

Head of MENA Region

Senior Policy Manager

Head of Technology
and Innovation

Project Manager &
Technical Committee Coordinator

Executive Director
QEERI

Environmental Protection
Saudi Aramco

Research Professor
Qatar University

Regional Director Climate Technology Solutions, Middle East,
Africa and CIS

Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Gold Partner

Innovation Partner

Silver Sponsor

Supporters

X2E

Partners

Tourism Partner

Knowledge Partner

Logistics Partner

Media Partner

Dr. Yousef Alhorr

Chairman

Dr. Yousef M. Alhorr is an energy expert, environmentalist and inventor known for his work in sustainable built environments and climate actions. He is the Founding Chairman of the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD), where he is leading R&D activities in areas related to energy and water efficiency and sustainable building materials. He led the development of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) – MENA’s first performance-based green buildings system for assessing buildings and infrastructure projects. In 2016, Dr. Alhorr established the Global Carbon Council – MENA’s first and one of the 8 international voluntary carbon offsetting programs approved by ICAO’s CORSIA and ICROA to support GHG reduction projects and leverage climate change mitigation finance globally. Dr. Alhorr has provided strategic guidance on sustainable development of iconic green projects including all the stadiums prepared to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. He helped draft the first version of Section 7 entitled Green Construction of Qatar Constructions Specifications (QCS) that sets forth the building codes and energy performance parameters to be followed by the industry. Dr. Alhorr is the recipient of AEE’s Energy Innovator of the Year 2022 award. He is also the Founding Chairman of Global Accreditation Bureau, and the President of Green Building Committee at the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).

Steve Kelly

President and General Manager

Steve Kelly is President and General Manager of 1PointFive International - a fast-growing developer of DAC facilities worldwide - where he is responsible for developing 1PointFive’s DAC business in international locations including Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia. Holding over 37 years of industry experience, Steve joined Occidental in 1995 and held senior positions in Qatar, Houston and most recently, as the President and General Manager in Oman where Occidental is the largest independent operator. Steve is also a member of the Board of Directors of Dolphin Energy Ltd. and holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from University College London.

Abdullah Al Harthy

Executive Chairman & Founder

Abdullah Al Harthy is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Birba. He brings decades of experience in the energy sector having previously held the position of Executive Director at Weatherford Oman - a company that produces innovative energy solutions that are enviornmentally and economically sustainable - as well as stints with Oman Gas Company and with Oman Shell in supply chain management. Abdullah brings specific, localised knowledge to our steering committee and has in-depth knowledge of the advancements and opportunities that exist within Oman's energy sector. He has also held the position of Executive Direction of Corporate Communications with OPAL - the Oman Society of Petroleum Engineers. Abdullah holds a Master's Degree in Business and Administration from the University of Hull and a Bachelor's in Mechanical and Production Engineering from the University of South Wales.

Amy Ruddock

VP Europe and Middle East

Amy Ruddock is the Vice President for Europe at Carbon Engineering where she is responsible for developing Direct Air Capture technology at a megatonne scale across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Previously, Amy held the position of Vice President Corporate Development and Sustainability at Virgin Atlantic where she was accountable for setting and delivering carbon strategy, corporate strategy and government affairs. Amy previously spent 10 years at BCG in the Aviation Practice Area leading projects on topics ranging from strategy to transformation; operations to commercial, working across Europe and the USA. Amy has a PhD in Chemical Physics from the University of Cambridge.

Javier Doblas

Partner

Javier is a core member of the Energy, Climate & Sustainability practices at Boston Consulting Group where he works with clients in the energy sector to develop clean energy strategies, sector reform, transactions (IPO, spin-off, debt raising) and innovation. He has years of experience supporting leading global corporations in these areas across Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, Javier developed the green hydrogen strategy for a hydrogen exporting nation, created a new energy champion and supported its strategy design and initial debt offering, and also defined an ESG strategy for a large national oil company.

Julieta Nikova

Methodologies Manager

Julieta Nikova is a climate change, chemicals and sustainability expert currently working as the Methodologies Manager at the Global Carbon Council, Doha, where she develops robust and scientifically sound baseline and monitoring methodologies for quantification of GHG emission reductions applicable to various mitigation technologies and measures. She is an acting member of the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee for the European Chemicals Agency, supporting the agency on topics related to the socio-economic impacts of potential legislation on chemicals. Previously, Julieta worked with the Standards Setting Unit and Small-Scale Methodologies team at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Germany. She also worked with multiple government bodies in Bulgaria implementing legislation for the sustainable management of chemicals and the EU Emission trading scheme, assessing Joint Implementation projects and elaborating GHG inventories, climate change action plans and strategies. She also has valuable experience in the private sector working on environmental protection projects for oil and gas exploration and production. Julieta holds a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and a bachelor’s degree with two majors in Biotechnology and in Ecology and Environmental Protection.

Dr. Mohammad

Head of MENA Region

Prof. Mohammad Abu Zahra is an experienced university professor and a current member of the UN Council of Engineers for Energy Transition. In 2022, he joined the Global CCS Institute as Head of the Middle East North Africa region, bringing 18 years of experience and international expertise in CCUS. Over the years he has built his career working on carbon capture projects, CCS integrated systems, consultancy, chemical engineering, and process design. Previously, Mohammed worked as a professor and CO2 capture research leader at Masdar Institute and Khalifa University, as well as at the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG) as a project manager for the carbon capture and integrated energy systems team.

Caterina De Matteis

Senior Policy Manager

Caterina is a Senior Policy Manager at the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, IOGP, and has over 10 years experience in EU policy, regulatory policy and public affairs related to energy, climate change and low-carbon technologies. She is qualified in international and diplomatic affairs from the University of Bologna.

Dr. Ammar Elhoweris

Head of Technology and Innovation

Dr. Ammar is the Head of Technology and Innovation at the Gulf Organisation of Research and Development, having previously headed up their Materials Group and Technohub Facilities. He has over 10 years of research exeperience related to sustainability and low-carbon technologies and has previously been responsible for identifying research opportunites that ailgn with Qatar's Vision 2030 sustainability and economic diversification objectives. While undergoing a PhD in Materials Chemistry from the University of Aberdeen, Dr. Ammar was part of a project that developed a process for the production of calcium sulfoaluminate cement; a novel process that is intended to be developed for eventual commercial production in Doha, Qatar. He also holds a Master's Degree in Enviornmental and Waste Management from the University of West Scotland.

Vivian Wood

Project Manager & Technical Committee Coordinator

Vivian Wood is the founder of Call 2 Action, a branding and marketing consultancy that advocates for decarbonisation and sustainability. As a brand activist, she focuses on developing and executing marketing strategy for sustainable business models that strive to leave a positive impact on the planet. As the project lead on the CCUS Forum, Vivian has previous experience with 44.01 - a pioneering Omani company that advances mineralisation technologies to turn CO2 into rock. She is particularly passionate about encouraging carbon market investment to support a zero-carbon future for the coming generations.

Dr. Marc VERMEERSCH

QEERI Executive Director

Dr. Marc VERMEERSCH is the Executive Director of the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI). He is leading scientific and technology research, development, and innovation at QEERI, to tackle Qatar’s Energy and Water Security Grand Challenges, and environmental issues, while also addressing the impact of climate change on the State of Qatar and the region. During the last five years, he has transitioned the institute mandate from pure academic into a market-driven, applied research business unit, contracting key, strategic partnerships with highly ranked partner institutions and initiating financial sustainability through revenue generation from contracted services.

With more than 25 years of experience in research and innovation, Dr. VERMEERSCH has joined Qatar Foundation (QF) with first-hand knowledge in research, development and deployment (RD&D), as well as technology transfer product development, and manufacturing.

Prior to his appointment at QF, he worked at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST - 2014) as a Professor of Practice and as the Managing Director of the Solar Center. Before joining KAUST, Dr. Marc VERMEERSCH has been working for more than eight years for the French oil and gas company TOTAL (2006), where he initiated the R&D in solar energy and triggered the Group’s business in sustainable energy conversion technologies. He started his industrial career with the French Group SAINT-GOBAIN (1995) where he occupied several positions (11 years) in technology transfer and product development, as well as support to business deployment and quality management.

Professionally, Dr. VERMEERSCH is a strong team builder, integrator and federative in challenging environments. His vast experience in management and executive leadership, built on industrial, technological, and scientific knowledge at the international level, reaffirms his conviction that innovation is a culture necessary for the sustainable progress of companies and institutions, as well as for the balanced and harmonious development of people.

Dr. Zeyad Ahmed, P.E.

Environmental Protection Saudi Aramco

Dr. Ahmed is an Environmental Process Engineering Specialist at Saudi Aramco Environmental Protection with 29 years of industrial and academic experience. Prior joining Aramco in 2014, Dr. Ahmed served as a research professor and faculty at Michigan Technological University, and prior to that he worked as Environmental engineering consultant. His area of expertise includes mass transfer operation and its applications to CCS and water technologies.

Dr. Muftah H. El-Naas

Research Professor Qatar University

Dr. Muftah El-Naas is a professor at the Gas Processing Center, Qatar University, and also served as Director of the Center and QAFCO Chair. His areas of expertise include CO2 capture, water purification, biotechnology, plasma technology, and membrane separation. His recent research work focuses on the development of new, environmentally-friendly processes for the oil and gas industry and he has recently developed a patent-pending bioreactor system for the biodegradation of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene - compounds that occur naturally in crude oil and can be found in sea water). Dr. El-Naas is a member of the Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers, a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and a senior member of the Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society. He is a recipient of several awards including the College of Engineering Merit Award in 2007; the Best Performance Award for excellence in scholarship in 2008 and 2015, and the Asian Education Leadership Award for the years 2013 and 2014. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from McGill University.

Maher Ayed

Regional Director Climate Technology Solutions,
Africa and CISMiddle East,

Maher AYED is leading Baker Hughes’s regional strategy and business development initiatives to grow the adoption of new energy solutions and position Baker Hughes in projects for Hydrogen, Carbon Capture, Energy Storage, and Clean Power Solutions.

Maher brings more than 20 years of international experience with leading multinational businesses providing highly engineered products and solutions across multiple industries and business segments (Automotive, Oil& Gas, Power Generation…).

Maher has a strong track record of success in Business Development leadership, entrepreneurship and in the market introduction of innovative technologies.

Maher is holder of master’s degrees in business administration (INSEAD), Project Management (MINES – France) and Electromechanical Engineering (ENIS – Tunisia).