Turkey to Discuss LNG Import Plans With Qatar

A high-level Qatari delegation will visit Turkey this month in an attempt to finalize a deal between the two countries for long-term import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gulf state to the Asiatic-European country, Gulf Times reported citing a top diplomat.

Turkish Ambassador to Qatar H Emre Yunt told Gulf Times that a deal could be signed as soon as pricing issues are settled. Yunt added that volume of Qatari LNG import to Turkey can at least be doubled from its current level if the long-term agreement is put in place.

He could not, however, predict whether the deal can be sealed during the visit, saying it will be too early to comment on that, the newspaper said.

Turkey buys natural gas from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan and LNG from Nigeria and Algeria under long term contracts. It currently has no such contracts with Qatar, which mainly sells to Asian markets.

Turkey has also sought help from Qatar to build an LNG terminal on the Gulf of Saros, an inlet in European Turkey, which would have an annual capacity of 5-6 bcm.