Venezuelan FM hails Qatar’s role in securing global gas supplies

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela Felix Plasencia praised Qatar’s great role in facilitating access to gas facilities, saying that Qatar has experience comparable to international energy companies that have been working for more than 100 years in this field.
In an interview with Lusail newspaper published on Sunday, Plasencia noted the positive relations between the two countries, stressing the need to strengthen these relations in the field of business and investment, and to take advantage of the Qatari expertise in the gas industry and the infrastructure that Qatar has established in this area.
He stressed that Qatar became consistent with the expertise of companies operating in oil and gas for hundreds of years, further expressing his certainty that in the near future there will be investment relations with Qatar and there are talks between the two parties in this area.
He described the 6th Doha Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), which recently concluded, as very important, as it carries with it all hopes and works to unify the opinions in the natural gas market, saying that Venezuela is proud to be at this summit, especially because Doha has a good reputation, and this summit hosted by Doha has witnessed new members joining the forum, and a number of resolutions were approved, as for example Bolivia has become a full member of the forum.
Plasencia added that the importance of this summit comes as Qatar is one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world and is an effective member not only in the Gulf region but also in the international community, and he thanked Qatar for hosting this summit.
He pointed out that the agenda of the 6th summit seeks to keep up with the challenges in the gas market, and is working in this context and there is a commitment to do so. The State of Qatar, which hosted this summit, has made a clear commitment to do more than any other country, and there are collective efforts from the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia, all of which are working on it.
He revealed that Venezuela is one of the top 10 promising countries in terms of gas supplies, adding that they are working hard this year to approve the number of fields to increase production and become major producers, and in the coming years, they expect to become number 35 in the top 50 countries in terms of reserves and as they are working hard to achieve it.
Looking at the crude oil sector, today they reached 1 million barrels per day and are seeking to reach 2 million barrels per day by the end of 2022, HE noted, adding that they will do the same in the field of natural gas, by increasing production and doubling efforts with the help of partners such as China, Russia, Turkey and Iran, as well as relations with South American countries.
On ensuring that gas supplies arrive in the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine, HE Venezuelan Foreign Minister said that the Russian Federation is a responsible member of the international community, and they are confident that Russia will work not to affect the supply of the international market. HE added that they believe that interests from outside the European continent have an impact, and North America will not affect the role played by Russia, which is one of the major gas producers in Europe, noting that they are confident that they will do what is best and the interests of any party will not be affected.
At the end of his speech, Plasencia praised Qatar’s provision to host the current edition of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. HE said that Doha today looks at a bright and modern image and has a wonderful infrastructure not only in football, but in transport, culture, multiple activities and other sectors. He congratulated Qatar on these efforts and wished it success during its hosting, adding that they are confident that Qatar will organize a unique FIFA World Cup.