Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), stated on Tuesday that Europe may need to reconsider its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import sources, suggesting that Qatar could be a viable alternative to Russia by 2027.
Speaking at the International Energy Week in London, Birol emphasized that Europe relies heavily on Russian LNG to support its economies. However, he added:
“Perhaps the time has come to replace these imports with supplies from Qatar and other sources, starting in 2027.”
LNG Supply Shortages Until 2027
The global LNG market is expected to remain tight until 2027, when a wave of new projects—particularly in Qatar, the United States, and other countries—will likely come online, increasing available supplies.
EU’s Rising Russian Gas Imports
Despite efforts to reduce reliance on Russian gas, the European Union’s LNG imports from Russia surged to 20% of total imports in 2024, up from just 6% in 2023, according to EU data.
Meanwhile, the United States remained the EU’s top LNG supplier, accounting for 45% of total European LNG imports last year.
As Europe seeks to diversify its energy sources, Qatar is poised to become a key player in meeting the continent’s LNG demand, particularly with its ongoing expansion plans to boost LNG production.
