Qatar for now is still the world’s biggest LNG producer and its geographical location is perfect for arbitrage between east and west markets and seasonal demand. Oman and the UAE also have this advantage, but they face tight domestic gas markets, making their positions as exporters unclear once their long-term contracts expire. Both countries already import Qatari pipeline gas via Dolphin Energy and Abu Dhabi is building an LNG import terminal at Fujairah.

Qatar’s original gas strategy was diversity – Doha planned gas-to-liquids (GTL) plants, pipelines to GCC countries, and LNG plants exporting to the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific. (CONTINUED - 1383 WORDS)