Qatar does not plan to build gas pipelines that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a route makes little economic sense. According to the press service of state-owned Qatar Energy, Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi made the remarks at the Qatar Economic Forum held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
He said Doha had decided not to consider pipelines as an alternative, based on commercial and technical criteria.
Al-Kaabi noted that Qatar already exports liquefied natural gas. Under a pipeline option, he said, the gas would first have to be transported in gaseous form and then liquefied again at receiving terminals, regardless of where those facilities are located.
That would effectively duplicate infrastructure being built in Qatar as part of the expansion of the North Field project, the minister said, adding that such an approach is economically senseless.
