Qatar Signs a gas supply deal with Poland

Yesterday Qatargas and the Poland oil and gas company secured a deal; Qatargas is to supply one million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Poland, with the first shipment set for 2014.

The twenty year long agreement is between state-owned Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo S.A.(PGNiG)and Qatargas. The agreement was signed by the Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah who is also the Chairman of Qatargas, and Aleksander Grad, Poland’s Minister of Treasury. Faisal M Al Suwaidi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qatargas Operating Company Limited and Micha³ Szubski, PGNiG President, were also present at the signing ceremony.

This agreement is very significant for Qatar and Poland. Being Qatar's first LNG supply deal with an eastern European country, all parties are confident the deal will strengthen the tie between the two states. Not only does it support Poland's growth and development using sustainable energy. While Qatar is further demonstrating it's commitment to diversify it's customer base.

The first shipment to Poland is set for 2014 after the LNG terminal in Swinoujscie, north-western Poland is completed. The terminal will be capable of receiving LNG using the new Q-Flex class of vessels.

Qatargas is currently under- going a major expansion programme and has commissioned its mega Train 4 this year. The company will increase the production of LNG from 10 mtpa last year to 42 mtpa by the end of the decade.