Under the 20-year deal, signed on the sidelines of the Gastech conference held in Doha, RasGas will supply 750,000 tonnes a year (t/y) of LNG on a freight-on-board (FOB) basis. First deliveries are scheduled to start in 2004.

The Eni LNG will be sourced from existing RasGas capacity. A sales and purchase agreement (SPA) will be signed soon.

RasGas, which currently operates two LNG trains at Ras Laffan, also confirmed on 12 October that it had exercised the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) options for train 4. A Japanese/Italian venture of Chiyoda Corporation, Mitsui & Companyand Snamprogetti will construct the onshore facilities, while Dubai-based J Ray McDermottwill carry out offshore works (MEED 4:10:02).