Turkey to Ink Qatari LNG Deal

Turkish state-owned  natural gas company, Botas, is expected to sign a preliminary agreement with Qatargas, world’s largest LNG producer, soon, thus creating the groundwork for Turkey to import of 2.5 to 3 billion cubic metres (bcm) of Qatari LNG, Reuters informs.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Reuters cited Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz as saying: “We would like to make two agreements with Qatar: one short-term and one long-term. If we can agree on the price, we will make an agreement through Botas. Some of Turkey’s natural gas needs will be filled by Qatar. We don’t only want to talk to one country. We have also talked to Saudi Arabia and Libya.”

The deal comes in the aftermath of Turkish announcement on boosting economic ties between the two countries, with a particular focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cooperation in LNG sector.

Namely, last November Turkey expressed desire to take part in a major pipeline which would connect the Gulf region to the European Union, voicing an option to host an LNG plant to take over Qatari LNG and distribute it to the EU.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, April 23, 2012