Minister of Energy Affirms Qatar Will Not Compromise Its Image as Reliable LNG Supplier

Tokyo, October 18 (QNA) - HE Qatar's Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammad bin Saleh Al Sada underlined that the State of Qatar highly values its relationship with its partners and customers in Asia, and would not compromise its image as a reliable supplier, even under unfortunate circumstances. HE the Minister of Energy and Industry is currently on an official visit to Japan on the head of a high-ranking delegation to attend the 6th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference, which kicked off in Tokyo Wednesday under the title: "Development of LNG Markets in Asia". In his keynote speech, HE Al Sada said that the illegal and unjustifiable blockade that has been imposed on the State of Qatar since last June, has not prevented it from honoring its contractual commitments and time schedules, without missing on even one shipment to its "valued customers worldwide", including supplies to one of the blockading countries. He added that Qatar has not even invoked the legally viable "Force Majeure" option, driven by its belief that "brothers should not be penalized for the political misadventures of their governments". HE Al Sada expressed Qatar's appreciation to "all countries, partners and customers who have stood by us in these testing times". HE the Minister said that natural gas is steadily becoming the fuel of choice across the globe, and the ideal and practical bridge towards the lower carbon future. He added that natural gas has the highest projected annual growth rate of about 2% for the next 15 years. His Excellency noted that LNG is expected to grow at more than double this rate, ranging between 4% and 5%, and that its use will extend beyond power to include long-haul transport and marine sectors. HE Minister Al Sada highlighted Qatar's determination "to remain a leading player and a reliable supplier of LNG". He added that such strategy was evident from the recent visionary directive of HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to lift the moratorium on the development of its North Field reservoir, resulting in an increase in Qatar's LNG production by 30% to 100 million tons per annum by 2024. He added that Qatar was also in the process of merging its two giant LNG companies Qatargas and RasGas to enhance the efficiency of the new entity and its market outreach, with the aim to serve its customers better and maximize its economic feasibility. HE Al Sada called on all parties concerned with LNG to promote its wider use to include the transport and maritime sectors, aiming at providing a cleaner environment for future generations. HE Minister Al Sada had earlier met with a number of senior officials from Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Japan LNG, Itochu and Chiyoda. On Thursday, he will meet with senior officials from more Japanese energy companies, and will attend the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar General Electricity and water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) and the Japanese company Shimakura. He will also head Qatar's delegation to the 11th Qatar-Japan Economic Committee meeting. (QNA)