The Voice News:LONDON – Russia is in advanced negotiations with Bahrain over a three-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement, according to three sources familiar with the matter. Under the proposed deal, Russia would deliver 1.5 million metric tons of LNG annually to the Gulf nation.
If finalized, this would mark the first LNG agreement between the two countries and reflect Russia’s growing ambitions in global LNG markets, as it seeks to challenge top exporters—the United States, Qatar, and Australia. Russia aims to ramp up its LNG output to 100 million tons per year in the medium term.
Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is increasing LNG imports to address a gas shortfall, particularly during peak summer months. The kingdom recently received its first LNG shipment in six years.
According to sources, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak met with Bahrain’s Minister of Oil and Environment, Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina, this week to discuss the deal, which would involve around 20 cargoes per year.
The LNG is expected to be sourced from Russia’s Yamal LNG plant, majority-owned by Novatek, Russia’s largest LNG producer. Neither Novatek nor Bahraini officials responded to requests for comment.
Reporting by Timour Azhari in Damascus and Marwa Rashad in London. Additional reporting by Yousef Saba in Dubai. Editing by Nina Chestney and David Goodman.
