Qatar to Clinch Nearly $10 Bln in Deals (outpaces SA in development)

[Rose Siding]

RAS LAFFAN, Qatar (Reuters) - Gas giant Qatar will clinch nearly $10 billion in natural gas deals with multinationals in the next 24 hours, strengthening the Gulf Arab state's standing as a leading global gas player.
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Analysts have cautioned that Qatar's success in signing the new LNG contract may backfire in terms of logistics. Qatari Energy Minister Abdullah al-Attiyah admitted that the gas-rich state was under pressure to perform.

"This is a challenge, we accept this challenge, and we will manage it," he said.

Despite this huge undertaking, Qatar -- by tapping its North gas field, the world's biggest -- has far outpaced neighboring Iran and Saudi Arabia in investment and development.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/02/27/qatar_to_clinch_nearly_10_bln_in_deals/