With Germany poised to become the world’s newest LNG importer later this year, all eyes were on the visit of Qatar’s Emir to the country last week. A long-term LNG supply contract remains elusive, but Qatar suggests that volumes from its Golden Pass JV on the US Gulf coast could be shipped to Germany following its 2024 startup.

Having prevaricated for years on the issue of turning to LNG, Germany’s hand has been forced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as Berlin rushes to end its reliance on cheap Russian piped gas. Energy security has jumped to the top of the political agenda across Europe, and strategic relationships with GCC states such as Qatar are being reassessed as a result (MEES, 27 May). (CONTINUED - 1018 WORDS)