From one addiction to another. From one blackmail to another. We are still trying to get rid of dependence on Russian gas, when one of the alternative supplies, that from Qatarcould become a problem. There response from Doha, after the scandal for alleged corruption against deputies and officials to condition the decisions of the eu parliament, it arrived promptly and in a form it tastes like threat speaking in a note yesterday of "a negative impact" on the ongoing discussions for methane supplies to the EU.
The Eurochamber last Thursday he called “as a matter of urgency that the access rights of Qatari interest representatives be suspended until the judicial investigations they will not provide pertinent information and clarification.”
Doha says that “the decision to impose such a discriminatory restriction on Qatar, limiting dialogue and cooperation before the end of the judicial process, will have a negative effect on regional and global security cooperation, as well as on ongoing discussions on the global energy crisis and safety". Qatar accuses the Belgian authorities of "inaccuracy" of the information used: and "firmly rejects the accusations" also complaining that "Qatar was not the only party named in the investigation, yet our country has only been criticized and attacked".
Il eu parliament it is reviewing all the rules relating to the entry into Brussels and Strasbourg of representatives of foreign governments or NGOs. At present, no decisions have been taken to ban Qatari representatives from entering. Instead, MEPs suspended "all work on the legislative files relating to Qatar, in particular as regards visa liberalisation, the agreement with Qatar in the air transport sector and scheduled visits, until the allegations have been resolved". confirmed or rejected".
How important is Qatar for supplies to Europe and Italy?
In the spasmodic search for alternatives to Russian gas taken since last February with the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the Qatar it immediately proved to be one of the most significant chances for Italy given that Doha is ours largest supplier of liquefied gas by boat. Together of course with the gas supplied via pipes from, Algeria, the Republic of Congo and Angola.
Il Adriatic LNG regasification terminal in Rovigo for years has an agreement with Qatargas to receive up to 6,5 billion cubic meters of gas per year, through a contract signed with Edison. Adriatic Lng is approximately 70 percent owned by ExxonMobil Italian Gas, for 7,3 percent from Snam and 22 percent from Qatar Terminal Company Limited. The former Minister of Ecological Transition Roberto Cingolani recently authorized the increase in the site's regasification capacity, which will be brought from the current 8 to 9 billion cubic meters per year. Snam, the company announced the purchase of a vessel which also carries out LNG storage and regasification functions. As for Saipem, last October, was awarded a contract by Qatargas worth approximately $4,5 billion as part of the North Field East development. The contract includes the engineering, procurement, fabrication and installation of two deepwater natural gas compressor complexes to support field production North Field (Qatar). The works, according to Saipem, include “two of the largest steel jacket compression platforms ever built, interconnecting bridges, accommodation and interface modules”.
Before the summer, Italy obtained a commitment from Doha to supply us with another 5 billion cubic meters more since 2023. Last June Eni signed a new joint venture (75% QatarEnergy and 25% Eni), to bring even more gas into Italy starting from 2025 entering the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, the North Field East, an off shore project that the Qatar shares with Iran, in the northeast of Persian Gulf,.
After all, even in Europe the path is similar: Ursula von der Leyen earlier this year he reported on the "excellent phone call with Emir Tamim bin Hamad on strengthening the EU-Qatar partnership, including on energy matters". And the Germany he signed with the emirate an agreement for two million tons of LNG per year from 2026 for 15 years. While the French company Total, which will have 6,25 percent of the new expansion area North Field East, which means that at the France most of the supplies destined for Europe will go.
How important is the liquefied gas business for Qatar
On the other hand, as the New York Times indicates, the Qatar wants to play his ace aiming to become the Saudi Arabia of gas, i.e. a key energy source for Europe which is abandoning its dependence on Russia. Qatar is already getting close to the China, undermining Russia's hopes of diverting most of the energy that Europe no longer buys to Asia.
Last year the country started the construction of four new gigantic terminals of production and export, investments that will increase its export capacity by more than a third by 2026. Officials have announced plans to build other two terminals over the decade. Overall, the capacity of the country to produce liquid natural gas will grow by more than 60%, reaching 126 million tons per year over the decade.
The country's energy exports, of which natural gas is by far the most important, are double this summer compared to last year, reaching $9,2 billion in August. Qatar is on course to break its record for annual export earnings, set in 2013 before booming US gas exports drove gas prices down.
