Qatar's lack of interest may hinder gas cartel

Qatar, the largest exporter of LNG in the world, may no more be interested in establishing a gas cartel market sources said. The development could lead to a complete ruling out of the possibility of a cartel, analysts point out.

Qatar with the world's largest non-associated gas reserves under its belly (it stands third in the list of total gas reserves) and often termed the 'Saudi Arabia of gas', is considered to have the strongest say in decisions of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). Doha, the Qatari capital, is the head office of the GECF.

"The new development has come in the wake of two of the largest gas producers Qatar and Russia competing for the Western markets. Russia has for long supplied gas to Europe through pipelines. Qatar has now begun shipping LNG to these markets brining in competition," said Robin Mills, a Dubai based oil economist.

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