作为此次贸易的资源提供者，卡塔尔能源凭借其自身丰富的LNG储备，为整个交易提供物质基础。而壳牌是此次贸易的枢纽，利用自身广泛的全球贸易网络和成熟的物流运输体系，将卡塔尔的LNG资源与中国庞大的市场需求进行对接。此次签订的合作协议，已是双方第11份长期供销协议。① Qatar Energy and Shell have signed a long-term LNG cooperation agreement to supply 3 million tons of LNG annually to Shell, directed towards China, effective January 2025; ② China is currently the largest LNG importer, while Qatar is the third largest exporter, having exported 73 million tons of LNG this year.
On December 3, according to a report by Caixin, Qatar Energy and Shell (SHEL.L) have recently signed a long-term liquefied natural gas supply agreement to China. Qatar Energy will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Shell, which will be directed to China.
According to a press release from Qatar Energy, the scale of this directional supply will reach 3 million tons of LNG annually, commencing in January 2025.
As the resource provider for this trade, Qatar Energy relies on its rich LNG reserves to provide a material basis for the entire transaction. Shell acts as a hub in this trade, leveraging its extensive global trade network and mature logistics transportation systems to connect Qatar's LNG resources with China's vast market demand. The cooperation agreement signed this time marks the 11th long-term supply agreement between the two parties.
This cooperation is not coincidental; Qatar is currently the third-largest LNG exporter globally and has previously reached numerous long-term LNG supply agreements with multiple countries and regions.
For example, Qatar Energy has a long-term cooperative relationship with India's Petronet LNG, having signed an agreement in 1999 and renewed it multiple times. In February 2024, the two parties renewed the agreement, under which Qatar Energy will supply 7.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas to India annually, starting from 2028, for a duration of 20 years.
In the Chinese market, Qatar Energy has previously signed long-term purchase and sales agreements for LNG with Sinopec and PetroChina.
Qatar Energy stated that this agreement highlights the vitality and potential of China's LNG market. Although the duration of the agreement has not been disclosed, it reflects confidence in the Chinese market.
China is the world's largest LNG importer, with imports of 71.32 million tons in 2023, compared to the peak of nearly 81.4 million tons in 2021.
As the final recipient of this trade, China's vast and continuously growing energy demand provides a broad market space and strong motivation for the cooperation between Qatar Energy and Shell.
Qatar, as the world's third-largest LNG exporter, has exported 73 million tons this year, playing a crucial role in the international energy trade chain.
