Ras Laffan: A Global Energy Strategy

An investment analyst has been asked to evaluate an investment in the project financing for Ras Laffan, a liquefied natural gas venture in the Middle East between Qatar and Mobil Corp. In order to make a suitable recommendation to the investment board, she must present, the potential returns, the various risks and their possible resolutions. Her analysis must address the political risks amid an atmosphere of instability of the Middle East, commodity price risks in an industry with a history of price volatility, possible foreign exchange risks of dealing in two currencies with historic fluctuations and the commercial risks of the reliance on a single customer who will account for 90 per cent of sales. Medium-term non-recourse financing is one option available for financing the project. She also knows that the quality of her analysis may influence whether or not the investment board will consider her capable of running her own fund in the future.