The US yesterday said the American solutions in Doha’s energy sector make business sense as both the US and Qatar have a shared interest in developing liquefied natural gas’ (LNG) long-term sustainability.
“We have a shared interest in developing LNG’s long-term sustainability and we hope Qatar will intensify partnerships with the US companies in the country’s oil and gas expansion plans,” said the US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, concluding his two-day visit to Qatar.
During his visit, he underscored America’s ongoing commitment to its strategic partnership with Qatar, and highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in maintaining stability and economic security in the region.
The US is the largest foreign investor in Qatar’s energy sector.
Perry met with His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani; Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and Qatar Petroleum (QP) president and chief executive Saad Sherida al-Kaabi.
“Choosing American solutions in the energy sector makes business sense. American companies offer the most innovative and sustainable results,” he said.
Recently, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson; Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin; and Secretary of Defense James Mattis had visited Qatar, highlighting the US’ commitment to continued engagement with Qatar across many areas.
Perry visited QP’s Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC), which is 80km northeast of Doha and is the base of onshore operations that support the development and utilisation of Qatar’s North Field gas assets. He was accompanied by al-Sada and al-Kaabi.
Highlighting the strong economic relationship between the US and Qatar in the energy sector, Perry said the US energy firms have been key partners in the development of Qatar’s oil and gas sector since the very beginning.
Perry’s visit included a tour of RLIC’s gas, refining and export facilities and logistics centres, and a briefing on the various aspects of industrial development in the city and the services it provides to ensure the free, safe, and unhindered flow of Qatar’s energy products to the world.
The visiting US energy secretary and his delegation were briefed on the history of Ras Laffan City and on its port, which is considered the world’s largest LNG export port, and which helps boost Qatar’s leading position as the world’s largest LNG producer and exporter, in addition to being the gateway for Qatari hydrocarbon products to the rest of the world.
The tour also included a presentation of the various industrial projects operating in Ras Laffan and of the production capabilities achieved by QP, particularly in the LNG industry, which has given greater credibility and reliability to Qatar’s oil and gas industry.
Perry along with HE al-Sada and al-Kaabi at the RLIC. During his visit, the US energy secretary underscored America’s ongoing commitment to its strategic partnership with Qatar.
