Qatar to quit from the OPEC in January 2019: Energy Minister

Doha: Qatar announced to quit from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) from january 29, 2019.

The country's energy minister said, "The decision came after Qatar, one of OPEC's smallest producers but the world's largest liquefied natural gas exporter, reviewed ways to enhance its role internationally and plan long-term strategy, including focusing on its gas industry."

In an conference, he said, "Qatar has decided to withdraw its membership from OPEC effective January 2019 and this decision was communicated to OPEC this morning."

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The announcement comes ahead of the meeting by OPEC and its allies including Russia on Dec. 6-7 to discuss cutting supply.

The minister said the decision was not easy as Qatar has been in OPEC for 57 years, but that the country's impact on OPEC production decisions was small.

He stressed that Doha would continue to abide by all its commitments like any other non-OPEC oil producer.

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The withdrawal decision reflects Qatar's intent to focus its efforts on developing its natural gas industry, the minister said, as the Gulf Arab state moves to increase LNG production from 77 million to 110 million tonnes annually.

Qatar would still attend an OPEC meeting in Vienna this week.