Russia expects be play a more active role in the LNG market in five or six years through Yamal liquefied natural gas project, Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said.

He also said that there is a possibility of Qatar joining the project.

Yamal LNG is operated by Novatek and Total SA, who plan to jointly develop gas reserves on the Yamal peninsula, a large parcel of land jutting out into the Kara Sea above the Arctic Circle, in west Siberia.

The project is to be carried out at South Tambei gas and gas condensate field located in the north of Siberia, home to around 40 trillion cubic metres of gas, which exceeds the stocks of any country.

Qatar is interested in being an effective partner with Russia to develop the Yamal project, Qatari Energy Minister Mohammed Al-Sada said in Doha.

 "We are active in the discussions and negotiations with our partners," he said.