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Gas states mum after cartel summit in Qatar

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, April 10, 2007

ABU DHABI — Qatar hosted a meeting Monday of gas-producing states that examined a proposal to form a cartel.

Energy ministers from the Gas Exporting Countries Forum met in Doha and reviewed the five years of the organization as well as future policy. The ministers discussed a study on the feasibility of a gas cartel, but no decisions were announced.

"In the long term, we are moving towards a gas OPEC," Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil said. "It will take a long time."

"We have heard from ministers that a move in this direction is desired," Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Hamaneh said. "We don't know how much time it will take us to achieve this."

Officials said the meeting discussed the gas market as well as political conditions that influence prices. This was the sixth meeting of the organization since 2001.

The organization includes Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Libya, Oman, Russia, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates. Officials said a feasibility study on a gas cartel would be completed and presented in 2008.


Copyright © 2007 East West Services, Inc.

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