Freeze on Gas Export Projects Could Be a Sign of Problems with the Exploitation of the North Field

摘要

The freeze imposed by the Qatari authorities on new gas export projects until 2010 could be a sign that the super-giant North Field gas field might not be as geologically exploitable as at first thought, according to the Financial Times (FT). A reservoir evaluation study of the field is underway, and the economic advisor to the Emir of Qatar, Mr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, has reiterated that no decision on lifting the moratorium will be taken before 2010. In a statement released in October 2006, Qatar Petroleum (QP) asserted that, if it decided to undertake new developments after 2010, priority would be given to projects that ensured there were sufficient reserves to meet growing national demand (AOG, 1 Nov., 2006).