Qatar: Stopping LNG exports to Europe is possible if the 'Sustainability Law' is not amended

Qatari Energy Minister Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi has threatened to stop liquefied natural gas exports to the European Union unless the latter reviews or cancels the 'Sustainability Law' rules, emphasizing that Doha will not be able to continue supplying under the current rules that impose a 5% deduction from energy sales revenues.

Al-Kaabi's statements came during a ministerial session at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) on Monday.


Similar warning from ExxonMobil

During the same session, ExxonMobil CEO Darren W. Woods stated that the company may reconsider its operations in Europe if Brussels does not make substantial amendments to the new law, noting that although European governments have begun to listen to objections, no actual changes have emerged so far.


Previous open letter: Qatar + United States to Brussels

Today's statements bring attention back to the unprecedented open letter signed by both Qatar and the United States last month, in which they expressed “deep concern” over the new European directive known as the “Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive”.

The letter — which was signed by Al-Kaabi and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright — warned that implementing the current framework would harm Europe’s ability to secure reliable and affordable energy, weaken the competitiveness of the European industry, and threaten the stability of its markets.

Al-Kaabi reiterated today that for Doha, this is not a technical negotiation detail, but a matter of whether or not to continue supply if the regulatory rules within the European Union do not change.