Qatar Ditches Pipeline Plans in Favor of LNG Exports

Qatar's energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, has stated that building gas pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz is not economically viable. According to him, commercial and technical criteria have ruled out this option as an alternative to liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

The existing LNG export infrastructure in Qatar makes it unnecessary to build new pipelines, al-Kaabi explained. If the pipeline option had been chosen, the gas would first need to be transported in a gaseous form and then reliquefied at receiving terminals, which would mean duplicating facilities already being built as part of the North Field expansion.

Qatar is one of the world's leading LNG exporters, and the Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for energy shipments from the Gulf. The North Field expansion aims to increase Qatar's LNG production and export capacity.