Bangladesh eyes new long-term Qatar LNG deal, seeks Saudi energy support

 
Bangladesh has explored a new long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal with Qatar while seeking Saudi Arabia's help to strengthen energy security, as a Saudi power company expressed interest in investing in renewables.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit held separate meetings with Qatari and Saudi officials and the head of ACWA Power on Sunday on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum ministerial meeting in Riyadh.

He met Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy CEO SaadSherida Al-Kaabi, Saudi Assistant Minister of Electricity Nasser Al-Qahtani, and ACWA Power CEO Sami J Serhan.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources disclosed details of the meetings in a statement on Sunday.

During talks with Al-Kaabi, Amit raised the possibility of a new long-term LNG supply agreement to meet Bangladesh's growing gas demand, according to bdnews24.com. 

The two sides reviewed existing import arrangements and discussed diversifying LNG supplies through QatarEnergy's international operations, along with expanding transport routes.

Both ministers stressed the need for continued commercial and technical discussions between the relevant institutions.

Qatar is one of Bangladesh's major LNG suppliers, with Petrobangla holding two long-term supply agreements with the country. However, LNG supplies from Qatar have been disrupted this year because of the war in West Asia.

In his meeting with Saudi Assistant Minister of Electricity Al-Qahtani, Amit sought cooperation to strengthen Bangladesh's energy security.

The discussions covered support for Bangladesh's energy-sector targets for 2030, long-term energy supplies, the installation of floating LNG terminals, and opportunities for offshore and onshore gas exploration and extraction.

The two sides emphasised the need to exchange delegations and develop a framework for cooperation to advance these proposals.

Al-Qahtani described Bangladesh as a brotherly country of special importance to Saudi Arabia and expressed optimism about expanding cooperation on energy security and development.