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Climate change and low-carbon ambitions globally are exerting pressure on countries of all typologies to move away from fossil fuel (hydrocarbon) use. This study sought to explore how hydrocarbon-dependent rentier states (HDRSs) can undertake a low-carbon transition, while ensuring the continued delivery of goods and services to citizens. The study used the Delphi method to explore how hydrocarbon-dependent rentier states could transition to low-carbon economies, focusing on the state of Qatar. Results were considered using the multi-level perspective (MLP) framework to understand the characteristics of the required socio-technical transitions. Landscape factors which are influencing decarbonization pathway options for HDRSs include global climate change, peer pressure from international organizations, changing consumer preferences, and technological developments. Key attributes of a successful transition appear to be the presence of a strong political will, sustained financial support, long-term strategic policies, and a robust institutional framework with effective governance, monitoring, and evaluation to provide incentives and constraints that can shape the desired socio-technical transition pathway. Through implementing forward-looking policies, HDRSs can avoid future economic costs and distributive impacts resulting from climate policies internationally. These findings have immediate implications for policymakers, bureaucrats, and politicians in HDRSs by providing an evidence base for low-carbon transition leadership. • Hydrocarbon-dependent rentier states (HDRSs) must transition away from fossil fuel use. • A Delphi study was used to investigate sociotechnical transition opportunities for Qatar. • Drivers, barriers and opportunities were identified for decarbonizing sociotechnical transition. • Pathways are presented for mitigation, adaptation and supporting policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For several decades oil-rich 'hydrocarbon-dependent' rentier states (countries) have been attempting to reduce their substantial economic reliance on oil, prompted by cyclical global commodity price volatility. Despite the sluggish economic diversification efforts, these states are now confronted with another structural challenge - an accelerating decline in global demand for fossil fuels as a part of climate change mitigation measures. With global economic agencies calling for rapid and unprecedented reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, there is an urgent need for these states to rapidly transition to a low carbon economy while minimizing adverse economic and social consequences. Addressing this imperative, the authors have sought to understand the 'low-carbon pathways' that could enable a rapid economic transition, using a two-stage Delphi study which used the hydrocarbon-dependent rentier state of Qatar as a case study. This paper presents the results of the Delphi study regarding the economic transition (part of the broader social change) from hydrocarbon-dependent to a low-carbon economy, investigating the key drivers and barriers and opportunities. The researchers propose a set of recommendations for facilitating economic transition away from the reliance on oil, to encourage the adoption of global and regional transition drivers, and overcome identified transition barriers. The study findings have implications for guiding public and private sector leaders to initiate and accelerate the transition in rentier state economies. • Hydrocarbon-dependent rentier states are considering low-carbon economic transitions. • This study investigated low-carbon pathways for Qatar as a case study. • The Delphi study revealed clear drivers, barriers and opportunities for a transition. • Low-carbon economic transitions will require significant leadership. • Immediate commencement is required to minimize long-term economic hardship [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qatar’s significant wealth in natural gas and oil brings the country to the highest income per capita worldwide. The drastic economic and social development gained by these revenues modernizes the country’s infrastructure and improve the population living standards in all aspects. Qatar gross domestic product income, in billion dollars ($B) increased from $B 115.270 in 2008–$B 202.45 in 2013. Meanwhile, Qatar faces real challenges due to very limited natural freshwater resources. Water scarcity creates water and food security problems. The viability of agriculture food productions is continually decreasing. Agriculture in Qatar depends mainly on groundwater, which is over-exploited, depleted, quality deteriorated, and becoming less suitable for agriculture, and its usage, in general, can be seized soon. Qatar’s abundant energy is used to generate desalted seawater to satisfy 99% of municipal water needs. The possibility of treating wastewater treatment to be used for agriculture purposes is discussed here, along with the interdependent relation between water, energy, and agriculture (and thus food). This paper outlines and discusses Qatar energy resources, demands, and consumption; as well as water resources, demands, consumption, and security. Detailed consumed energy in desalting seawater and treating wastewater are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beginning of the post-fossil fuel era is evident in trends such as fossil fuel divestment, cheaper alternative energy sources, and disruptive technologies that are enabling responsive and reliable alternative energy systems. In this global low-carbon transition, states (countries) that are dependent on hydrocarbon revenues confront an uncertain future, requiring urgent actions to reduce their economic and societal dependence on hydrocarbon revenues. It is well known that choices made will have significant impacts on wealth and prosperity. Unfortunately, desirable transition pathways remain unclear and the benefits ill-defined. Addressing this critical gap in knowledge, this paper frames the construct of a 'low-carbon transition' for hydrocarbon-dependent rentier states, presenting 16 decision-support scenarios across three key categories of industrial, economic and energy/ environmental futures. The study used backcasting methods in four creative-narrative scenario workshops focusing on Qatar, engaging with a diverse group of senior technology and policy professionals. The authors discuss the findings in relation to tensions, contradictions and dominant narratives about a low carbon future. The utility of these narratives is concluded by providing a systematic approach for public and private sector leaders to appreciate and plan for a low carbon transition in hydrocarbon-dependent rentier states. The findings provide a useful framing for the future and foresight practitioners working in a similar cultural context. • Sixteen low-carbon transition scenarios are presented for hydrocarbon-dependent rentier states. • The study used backcasting methods in four workshops to explore transition typologies. • Tensions and contradictions are discussed in imagining low-carbon futures in rentier states. • Dominant socio-technical narratives are observed among stakeholders. • The scenarios are immediately useful to inform low-risk transition pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Parametric study of various drilling parameters on cuttings transport for vertical, deviated, and horizontal wellbores. • Flow loop system for comparison of the obtained numerical results with the collected experimental data. • Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) was considered to validate the numerical model (volume fraction of solid particles). • Non-dimensionless analysis was carried out to estimate solid particles volume fraction and pressure drop gradient. Accurate estimation of volume fraction and pressure gradient is considered indicating parameters of efficient cuttings transportation. It is vital, in this regard, to consider all parameters that can affect cuttings volume fraction and pressure drop during enrollment of the drilling process. The analysis was conducted based on the turbulent flow of a power-law fluid through an annular domain by employing the Finite Volume Method. In addition, dimensional relationships were developed with the Buckingham-π theorem. Before carrying out simulations, the numerical schemes were validated using actual measurements made with the flow loop system available in Texas A&M University at Qatar. The simulation results demonstrated the followings: (i) using a power-law type drilling fluid with a shear-thinning character would reduce energy consumption for an inclination greater than 45°; (ii) inclination angles from 45° to 60° would be least desirable for an effective cuttings transportation with a turbulent Ostwald-de Waele fluid. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]