Qatar, Pakistan sign multi-billion dollar gas deal

Doha: Qatar and Pakistan signed on Wednesday a multi-billion dollar gas deal to supply Pakistan with 3.75 million tonnes of liquified natural gas (LNG) annually for 15 years.

Under the 15-billion-dollar agreement, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited will supply 3.75 million tonnes of LNG to Pakistan State Oil Company from 2016 to 2031, with the first cargo expected to be delivered in March 2016.

After the signing ceremony, Pakistan Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told reporters that the import of LNG from Qatar would help Pakistan to get out of its energy crisis by fulfilling 20 percent of the country's energy needs.

Pakistan produces four billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (bcfd) against the demand for over six bcfd.