GLNG: Germany targets LNG supplies from Qatar

Germany is turning to Qatar for LNG as it pivots away from Russian natural gas in the wake of the war in Ukraine. Following a visit to Qatar over the weekend of March 19-20, German Minister of Economy Robert Habeck described a deal between the two countries as a “door opener”.
Habeck did not provide details of the quantities and other terms under discussion. There were also some contradictory reports over the status of discussions, with Germany saying a deal had been finalised, but Qatar stopping short of this.
State-owned QatarEnergy said that previous discussions between Germany and Qatar had failed to bear fruit owing to a lack of long-term clarity about the role of gas in Germany’s energy mix, and the LNG infrastructure required to support it. But the company added that the situation had changed, noting Germany’s efforts to expedite two LNG import terminals. It said that as a result, the two sides had agreed to re-engage in discussions via their commercial entities.
Until the new LNG import capacity comes online in Germany, the country will not be able to receive LNG directly. Illustrating the urgency of moves to lessen dependence on Russian gas, earlier this month German state-owned bank KfW and Dutch utility Gasunie signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the construction of an LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel. Gasunie said at the time that it expected to break ground on the facility later this year.