By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Jan. 30 -- Kuwait has signed a preliminary protocol and terms agreement for a proposed purchase of Qatari gas over 25 years, beginning in 2005, said deal participant ExxonMobil Corp.
The arrangement would be part of the 1.75 bcfd enhanced gas utilization project for Qatar's supergiant North field. Qatar and ExxonMobil signed a development and production-sharing agreement in May 2000 for the enhanced gas utilization project.
In early January, Qatar, Bahrain, and ExxonMobil Middle East Gas Marketing Ltd. signed a memorandum for sales of Qatari gas to Bahrain, also part of the enhanced gas utilization project (OGJ Online, Jan. 8, 2002).
The Bahrain agreement and the Kuwait terms agreement support Qatar's efforts toward a Gulf Cooperation Council gas pipeline network.
Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar minister of energy and industry and chairman of Qatar Petroleum, said, "The delivery of gas to Kuwait via pipeline will set an important precedent for regional gas cooperation and meet Qatar's strategic plan for ongoing utilization of the country's massive gas reserves."