Qatar announced today that it has chosen Italian energy giant Eni as the second foreign partner to develop the world's largest natural gas field, after the participation of the French company TotalEnergies was announced, BTA reported, citing AFP .

"I am pleased to announce today that Annie has been selected as a partner in this unique strategic project," Qatari Energy Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Energy (QE) Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi told a news conference in Doha, announcing the second foreign partner. In a joint venture with Qatari energy giant Annie, it is earning just over 3% of the $ 28 billion Nord Field East project, which aims to increase Qatari's liquefied natural gas production by 60% by 2027.

The EU plans to import gas from the United States, Norway, Qatar and Azerbaijan

The French company, whose contract with a term until 2054, was announced on June 12, will receive a larger share - 6.25%.

This agreement will help the company compensate for the losses caused by its withdrawal from Russia after the start of the war in Ukraine.

A third partner is expected to be announced tomorrow.

It is estimated that foreign companies will receive a total of about 25% of the project.

Production from the field, located in Qatar and Iran, is scheduled to begin in 2026.

This field accounts for about 10% of the world's known natural gas reserves.

Since the beginning of the conflict, importers of liquefied natural gas have sought to provide alternatives to Russia's "blue fuel".

Qatar

gas