Qatar’s minister for energy and industry has announced that the UAE has agreed to become part of a new organisation made up of the world’s largest gas exporters.
Speaking to journalists in Qatar Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah said that the UAE had attended the Gas Exporting Countries Forum being held in Doha on Tuesday as a guest.
“Regarding joining the forum by the UAE, the process is now under way. The UAE has participated in the meeting as a guest and they are planning to join as full members of the forum,” Attiyah told local journalists.
Attiyah was voted chairman of the newly established forum while a decision to appoint a secretary-general was deferred until the next meeting in December. Attiyah was also at pains to point out that the forum would not be involved in price-setting.
“The forum is aimed at co-ordinating gas policies of member states. There was no discussion of prices at the meeting,” Attiyah said. .
Eleven countries were represented at the forum including Qatar, Iran and Russia, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bolivia.
Qatar, Iran and Russia are believed to be pushing for an OPEC-style gas cartel although as gas is sold under long-term contracts, volatility in prices is not a major issue in the industry.
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