Qatar to provide Turkey LNG in case of demand

Qatari Energy and Industry Minister Mohammed al-Sada said that Qatar has been shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Turkey for many years. "We have two active agreements with no restrictions on quantities. We are ready to send this LNG whenever our Turkish customers want it," al-Sada said.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) in Qatar on energy relations between the two countries, Minister al-Sada said that within the framework of the two existing agreements which are still in force, Qatar is ready to ship LNG at the requested amount when the Turkish side wants it with no restriction on quantities. Recalling that their relations with Turkey have continued in accordance with such an understanding in the past, he confirmed that the relations will continue in the same way in the future. Al-Sada said: "Qatar always prioritizes Turkey. This prioritization is based on our excellent relations in every area not only in energy."Noting that he regards the energy policy that Turkey has been following in recent years as "perfect," al-Sada said: "We evaluate the LNG we ship to Turkey and other investment opportunities separately. We are also working on opportunities we encounter in accordance with each particular occasion." Stressing that Turkey is currently increasing its natural gas storage and purchasing capacity, al-Sada congratulated Turkey for the steps the country has taken. "This is an excellent policy for Turkey to diversify its energy supply resources. In addition, the steps taken will also give Turkey flexibility regarding the access to resources," al-Sada added.

The share of Turkey's total spot LNG imports in total natural gas imports is around 5.15 percent. While Turkey imports spot LNG from seven different countries, it supplies 68.5 percent of these purchases from Qatar.

During President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit on Dec. 2, 2015, a preliminary memorandum of understanding was signed between Turkey's Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ) and the Qatar's national oil company to ensure Turkey's long-term and regular LNG imports from Qatar.