Latest news with #SaadSheridaAlKaabi
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Europe Isolated: Qatar Threatens LNG Embargo Against The EU
Qatar has warned that it may stop exporting liquefied natural gas to the European Union in response to the Brussels corporate sustainability due diligence directive, which entered into force on July 25th, 2025. The CSDDD requires large companies to remedy environmental harm and human rights concerns (such as forced labor) in their supply chains or incur fines. The rules apply to both EU and non-EU companies with a yearly turnover greater than €450 million. Notably, the rules will not take full effect until 2027 and will be implemented gradually through 2029 based on company size. Qatari outrage over the directive reflects the country's reliance on fossil fuel exports, systemic exploitation of foreign workers, and spotty international reputation. In a letter to Belgium's government, Qatar's Minister of Energy, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, who is also President and CEO and Deputy Chairman of state-owned QatarEnergy, wrote that if 'further changes are not made to CSDDD, the State of Qatar and QatarEnergy will have no choice but to seriously consider alternative markets outside of the EU for our LNG and other products.' In his letter, he pushed back on the European directive's climate goals, affirming that Doha has no plans to achieve net zero emissions anytime soon. To meet its needs for gas without having to rely on Russia or Qatar, EU countries may look to buying more LNG from the U.S. or other suppliers or revisit their nuclear energy policy. Qatar's History of Labor Rights Abuses Qatar's response to the CSDDD was likely spurred not only by the outsized role of fossil fuels in its economy, but also by its ongoing neglect of safe labor practices. When Qatar won the bid in 2010 to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the next decade cast a harsh light on Qatar's treatment of the migrant workers building the stadiums and infrastructure as well as constructing the country's first subway system to handle the crowds of anticipated spectators. In 2022, World Cup Chief Hassan al-Thawadi confirmed that 400-500 migrant workers died working on construction connected to the tournament. In reality, the death toll was probably much higher. Workers were also subjected to unpaid wages, forced labor, dangerously long hours, and other types of abuse. Despite promised reforms and the official abolition of the highly exploitative kefala system in 2016, the Global Slavery Index 2023 estimated that 6.8 people per every 1,000 of Qatar's 2021 population of 2,818,060 were living in modern slavery, hardly a boon for the Emirate closely controlled by the Al Thani clan for generations For now, at least, Qatar is publicly expressing concern only regarding the CSDDD provisions requiring businesses to implement climate transition plans. Effects on European Energy This is not the first time Qatar has threatened to cut off LNG exports to Europe over the CSDDD. In December 2024, Al-Kaabi said in reference to the associated penalties, 'If the case is that I lose 5 percent of my generated revenue by going to Europe, I will not go to Europe... I'm not bluffing.' If Doha follows through on its threats, the consequences will be negative for European energy security, but EU members can replace the Qatari supply with product from the U.S., Nigeria, Algeria, and Mozambique. While Qataris could likely find alternate buyers, particularly in Asia, their insistence on long-term contracts with restrictive resale provisions may push Asian buyers, especially the Japanese and South Koreans, to avoid Qatari LNG. The share of Qatari LNG imports in the EU's total gas portfolio has increased as Europe continues to seek alternatives to Russian LNG in the wake of Putin's second invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In the first quarter of 2024, Qatari LNG accounted for 9.1% of the EU's total imports, and in the first quarter of 2025, this number increased to 10.8%. In 2023, QatarEnergy entered into large LNG contracts with three major companies to supply gas to Europe. It agreed to supply Shell, Eni, and TotalEnergies with several million tons of LNG per year for the next 27 years, providing energy to the Netherlands, Italy, and France, respectively. Europe's reliance on foreign LNG stems from policies across several of its states prioritizing renewables to the exclusion of more reliable forms of baseload energy like nuclear, leaving foreign sources of LNG a key component of the continent's energy mix. This, in turn, has rendered the EU vulnerable to shocks from powers ideologically and strategically opposed to the West. Qatar is directing hundreds of millions of dollars into US academic institutions and think tanks, is the key funder of the global radical Islamist movement the Muslim Brotherhood, and a key sponsor of the Hamas terrorist movement in Gaza and the West Bank. Doha also has close relations with the Taliban and played a key role in facilitating its return to power. Besides Qatar, the EU's two largest LNG suppliers are Russia and the U.S. Russian LNG cannot replace another 10.8% of imports, especially given EU efforts to phase out Russian gas. Whether Europe could turn to the U.S. for more LNG remains to be seen, but the recently announced $750 billion EU-U.S. trade deal signals the potential for more supply to come from America. The Way Forward for the EU The EU is stuck between its own policy priorities, strict regulatory framework (CSDDD as an example), and its reliance on Qatari and other imported gas. The EU leadership may find it more ideologically consistent to stick to the CSDDD rules and phase out continued gas trade with Qatar. Shifting and diversifying its energy policy is strategically sound in the long term. By looking to nations like the United States, a trade partner more aligned with the CSDDD's values, and re-examining and reverting to nuclear energy, the EU can carve out a path toward energy security without caving to adversarial, oppressive and anti-democratic actors like Qatar and Russia.
Qatar Tribune
02-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Kaabi visits Kahramaa's advanced metering facility
QNA Doha As part of the ongoing digital transformation efforts in Qatar's electricity and water sectors, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Chairman of Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi visited the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) facility. The minister was accompanied by Kahramaa President Abdulla bin Ali Al Theyab to review the latest technologies in smart meter control, monitoring, and data analysis. The visit began with a tour of the Smart Meter Control and Monitoring Center, where the minister received a comprehensive overview of the operating and follow-up mechanisms for managing smart meters, and the advanced services provided by the system, which enables real-time, accurate monitoring of electricity and water consumption, while enhancing network efficiency, and ensuring service continuity, and quality. It also showcased the system's capabilities in remotely managing meter operations, detecting leaks, service interruptions, and demand surges, as well as overseeing the prepaid metering service. The visit included a stop at Kahramaa's Unified Call Center, for a briefing on the mechanisms in place for direct, effective communication with customers, and the world-class services available via digital and telephone channels, reflecting Kahramaa's ongoing commitment to enhancing customer service and promoting customerexperience. Commenting on this occasion, Minister Al Kaabi said, 'I am very pleased to witness this achievement, of which we are all proud, and to see the technological progress achieved within the framework of Qatar's digital transformation strategy for electricity and water sectors. This center marks a significant milestone towards enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainability, reinforcing Kahramaa's innovation and excellence, and elevating the quality of services to the highest international standards.' For his part, Abdulla bin Ali Al Theyab reaffirmed that that the smart metering system will contribute effectively to optimizing electricity and water demand management while offering improved customer-focused services. The visit comes as part of Kahramaa's ongoing commitment to adopting the latest smart technologies and solutions, in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve sustainable development and modernize the country's vital infrastructure.
Qatar Tribune
18-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QatarEnergy wins onshore exploration licence in Algeria
Tribune News Network Doha QatarEnergy has won an onshore exploration license in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria as part of the 'Algeria Bid Round 2024', marking its first entry into Algeria's upstream sector. The results of the competitive bid process were announced by The National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources, awarding exploration and production rights for the onshore Ahara Block to a consortium comprising of QatarEnergy with an effective interest of 24.5 percent, TotalEnergies (the operator during the exploration phase) with an effective interest of 24.5 percent, and Algeria's national state-owned oil company 'Sonatrach' with an effective interest of 51percent. Commenting on this award, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi said, 'We are delighted to be awarded the Ahara Block, which marks our first entry into Algeria's upstream sector and further and expands our footprint in Africa.' Al Kaabi added, 'I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Algerian Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies and ALNAFT on the successful management of this bid round. We look forward to a successful and collaborative exploration endeavor with the Ministry alongside ALNAFT, Sonatrach, andTotalEnergies.' Located in eastern Algeria at the intersection of the prolific Berkine and Illizi Basins, the Ahara Block covers an area of approximately 14,900 km².
Qatar Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Kaabi meets with senior executives of Chinese energy firms
Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi held cooperation talks with senior executives of major Chinese energy companies on the sidelines of the World Gas Conference in Beijing. Minister Al Kaabi met separately with DAI Houliang, chairman of China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), ZHOU Xinhuai, president of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and MA Yongsheng, chairman of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). Discussions during the three meetings focused on strengthening existing and future cooperation and bilateral relations in the energy sector. The minister was accompanied during the meetings by a high-level delegation.
Qatar Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Gas to remain backbone of global growth for next century: Al Kaabi
Tribune News Network Doha Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy President and CEO HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi has emphasised that sustainable economic growth across the globe is not possible without fuel, underscoring natural gas as the most reliable, affordable, and widely accessible option. Speaking during a leadership dialogue at the World Gas Conference (WGC) in Beijing, Al Kaabi reiterated that while a diverse energy mix is essential, natural gas will continue to serve as the backbone of global economic development. 'We need all kinds of fuels and a wide energy mix,' he stated, 'but gas stands out as the best source—reliable, affordable, and available to most countries. It is here to stay for the next century.' Al Kaabi emphasised that each country's energy mix will differ based on local conditions and intermittency factors—such as when the sun does not shine, the wind does not blow, or the rain does not fall. 'For us in Qatar,' he said, 'we have plenty of sunshine, and today we meet 15 percent of our electricity demand from solar power. We are working to double that to 30 percent.' Addressing a question on net-zero emissions as an environmental target, Al Kaabi noted that while many countries and companies have announced commitments to achieve net-zero by 2050, it has become evident that many are now reconsidering those goals. 'People are realising that it is very difficult to achieve net-zero by 2050 without a real, actionable plan—and without taking into account their energy needs and economic development requirements,' he said. He pointed out that Qatar and QatarEnergy were among the few who were transparent from the outset, openly stating that they would not be able to meet net-zero targets by 2050 under current conditions. Speaking on the progress of Qatar's North Field expansion, Al Kaabi said, 'We will begin operations of the first LNG train from the North Field East development — which has a production capacity of 32 million tonnes per annum — by mid next year.' 'Subsequent trains will follow thereafter. As for the North Field West project, it is currently in the engineering phase and is expected to enter the construction phase around 2027.' Highlighting the scale of the expansion, Al Kaabi stated, 'We will more than double our LNG production — from the current 77 million tonnes to 160 million tonnes annually. This includes output from our Golden Pass project in Texas, which is expected to come online later this year.' He further noted, 'QatarEnergy will become the world's largest LNG exporter as a single company, while Qatar will remain the second-largest LNG-exporting nation after the United States for the foreseeable future. We are committed to playing a major role in supporting global economic growth by supplying the cleanest fossil fuel available.' Al Kaabi revealed that the company is significantly expanding its footprint in the petrochemical sector, with major projects underway in both the United States and Qatar. 'QatarEnergy is doubling its production capacity across several segments of the petrochemical industry,' he said. 'We are building the world's largest ethane cracker in the United States, expected to begin production in the first quarter of 2027. At the same time, we are constructing the largest ethane cracker in the MENA region in Ras Laffan, which is also set to commence operations in early 2027,' he said. Describing the scale of the investment, Al Kaabi noted, 'Together, these two projects represent the largest single investment by one company, undertaken in partnership with our long-standing collaborators at CPChem.' On the strategic energy relationship with China, he highlighted China's rapid economic growth and ambitious energy transition efforts. 'China's growth is tremendous,' he said. 'They are developing a well-balanced energy mix, and their progress in renewable energy has far exceeded expectations. They are also incorporating more natural gas into their energy portfolio.' Hughlighting China's importance as a key partner for QatarEnergy, Al Kaabi said, 'China is our largest LNG buyer and a strategic partner in our North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS) expansion projects. In addition, a significant portion of our historic LNG shipbuilding programme is being executed in Chinese shipyards.' World Gas Conference, the premier global forum for the gas and energy industry, is being held for the first time in China under the theme 'Energizing a Sustainable Future.'
