State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has signed a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import deal with Qatargas to provide for the Gulf state’s needs in 2014.

The deal, signed on 27 April is the third gas import deal signed by KPC following contracts with UK-Dutch Shell Group and the UK’s BP.

According to state news agency, Kuna the deal paves the way for longer term cooperation between Kuwait and Qatar in the energy sector.

BP and Shell will supply Kuwait with around 2.5 million tonnes a year of gas for the next five to six years.