popular articles

Energy shortage: “the worst is yet to come” for Europe, says Qatari minister

Qatar's energy minister has warned that the worst is yet to come for oil and gas shortages in Europe, following a warm winter that has averted greater difficulties. Qatar is seeking to sign long-term contracts with European countries to compensate for the alternatives to Russian hydrocarbons.

Please share:

Qatar’s energy minister warned on Tuesday that “the worst” was yet to come for oil and gas shortages in Europe, saying a warm winter had prevented greater difficulties in recent months.

The rich Gulf emirate, one of the world’s leading gas exporters, is seeking to seal long-term contracts with European states, most of which have long refused to do so despite their frantic search for alternatives to Russian hydrocarbons. “The only thing that saved humanity and Europe this year was a warm winter and the slowdown of the economy,” Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi said at a forum in Doha.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Europeans feared a gas shortage due to sanctions against Moscow and rising prices on world markets. “If the economy starts to spiral out of control in 2024 because of a normal winter, I think the worst is yet to come,” he estimated. “If they don’t realize this, if they don’t have an adequate plan, if they don’t demonize the oil and gas companies and sit down with the producers,” the Europeans will have to face a “reality (that) will take hold,” he warned.

Qatar is committed to developing the North Field, which contains the world’s largest natural gas(LNG) deposits, to increase production to 126 million tons per year by 2027. All production from North Field East and North Field South could be subject to long-term agreements by the end of the year, Kaabi said. “We may not have any more gas from the NFE and NFS by the end of the year, as far as long-term contracts are concerned,” he assured.

“No buyers.”

Qatar had announced at the end of 2022 an important agreement to supply Germany with LNG for 15 years, after difficult negotiations, as Europeans are reluctant to sign long-term agreements like the Emirate does with Asian countries. The Saudi Minister of Energy, Prince Abdelaziz bin Salmane, also said that Europe had been “saved by a gift from God” last winter, and that global energy security was threatened by “policies of flight to safety”, referring to environmental considerations opposed to hydrocarbons.

“Energy security is hindered. We lack capacity because countries are not investing in oil and gas,” added the Saudi minister, the Gulf monarchy being the world’s largest exporter of black gold. “We’re talking about blue, green, purple, pink hydrogen, but at the end of the day, who’s going to take it? What will the price be?” he quipped. “We’re not talking about oil or gas. We’re talking about the so-called cleanest, greenest fuel of the future. And yet there are no buyers,” he blasted.

The Gulf countries largely emphasize decarbonization policies but regularly stress the importance of investing more in gas and oil to meet global demand. The United Arab Emirates, which is hosting this year’s UN climate conference (COP 28), is also calling for the promotion of policies to capture CO2 emitted by the hydrocarbon industry instead of relying on green energy.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

During President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to China, six agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Chinese partners to develop green energy projects, including solar power plants, an offshore wind farm, and energy storage systems.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
As nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States continue, European countries find themselves sidelined, despite their central role in the 2015 agreement.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
The Kremlin has confirmed its willingness to actively support a diplomatic resolution on Iran’s nuclear file, ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for this Saturday.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
Abbas Araghchi will meet Sergey Lavrov in Russia before resuming nuclear discussions with the United States, scheduled for 19 April in Muscat under Omani mediation.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
The US decision halts Trinidad and Tobago’s gas ambitions tied to the offshore Dragon field, undermining agreements with Caracas and several major energy companies.
As Russia ratifies a 20-year civil nuclear agreement with Iran, the United States reopens indirect talks in Oman. Tehran demands the lifting of sanctions, while 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60% raises concerns.
As Russia ratifies a 20-year civil nuclear agreement with Iran, the United States reopens indirect talks in Oman. Tehran demands the lifting of sanctions, while 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60% raises concerns.
Russia’s State Duma officially approves a major energy partnership with Iran, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the oil, natural gas, and civil nuclear sectors, despite ongoing Western sanctions.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
The Venezuelan army says it will respond forcefully to any threat following allegations of a plot targeting ExxonMobil's infrastructure in contested waters off Guyana.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
Adani, via its subsidiary Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., has launched operations at the Colombo West International Terminal, strengthening the strategic role of Colombo Port in South Asia.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.
The French and British governments denounce ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, despite ceasefire discussions backed by the United States.
New Delhi signed new defence and energy agreements with Colombo, consolidating its strategic influence on the island as China continues expanding its investments.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is in Baku to reaffirm energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, focusing on the expansion of the gas corridor and regional green energy projects.
European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is in Baku to reaffirm energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, focusing on the expansion of the gas corridor and regional green energy projects.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock ruled out any possibility of reactivating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, shut down since 2022, despite discussions mentioned by Russia and growing pressure on energy supply.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock ruled out any possibility of reactivating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, shut down since 2022, despite discussions mentioned by Russia and growing pressure on energy supply.
The United States has sanctioned a Chinese refinery processing Iranian crude, increasing pressure on Tehran and raising concerns over global oil market stability.
The United States has sanctioned a Chinese refinery processing Iranian crude, increasing pressure on Tehran and raising concerns over global oil market stability.
The Algerian energy group Sonelgaz is offering its technical expertise to Burkina Faso to strengthen its electrical infrastructure, illustrating Algeria's strategic intention to consolidate its presence in sub-Saharan Africa’s energy markets.
Washington again delays the enforcement of sanctions against NIS, the Serbian energy company controlled by Gazprom, extending the status quo until the end of April according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Washington again delays the enforcement of sanctions against NIS, the Serbian energy company controlled by Gazprom, extending the status quo until the end of April according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
The United States has strengthened its support for Guyana amid Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo, warning Caracas of a military response in case of aggression targeting the territory or American oil interests.
The United States has strengthened its support for Guyana amid Venezuela’s claims over the Essequibo, warning Caracas of a military response in case of aggression targeting the territory or American oil interests.
No attacks on energy installations have been reported since a partial agreement announced by the United States, marking a pause in hostilities targeting critical infrastructure.
No attacks on energy installations have been reported since a partial agreement announced by the United States, marking a pause in hostilities targeting critical infrastructure.

Advertising