QatarEnergy is in advanced talks with NextDecade Energy to buy up to 2 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year from the third phase of the Rio Grande LNG project in Texas. The proposed purchase would supplement QatarEnergy’s long-term supply portfolio.

For LNG shipping, the distinction between a proposed purchase and a completed agreement matters. A long-term supply commitment could support demand for large LNG carriers, but the effect on vessel requirements would depend on the final contracted volume, delivery arrangements and the routes used.

The talks also point to closer links between LNG supply in the United States and international buyers’ portfolios. The immediate question is whether the negotiations result in an agreement; the longer-term shipping implications will depend on its terms and how the cargoes are delivered.