DOHA, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- QatarEnergy has signed a long-term sales and purchase agreement (SPA) with China's Guangzhou Guanggang (G-Gas) to supply 100 million cubic feet per annum of helium from Qatar to China.
According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the 20-year agreement marks the first direct long-term SPA for supply deal between Qatar and China, the high-purity helium would be sourced from Qatar's world-class helium facilities in Ras Laffan.
Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, Engineer Saad Al-Kaabi stated that "China is a major market and destination for Qatari helium, and we are very pleased to enter into this direct long-term partnership with G-gas as we help meet the growing demand for helium both in China and across the globe." He further said that ""Qatar is one of the world's largest helium exporters and this agreement further expands QatarEnergy's growing list of partnerships and customers around the globe" adding that "our helium capacity will more than double with our North Field LNG expansion projects".
He also underscored that this agreement would support a wide range of industries that rely on helium for technological and human development.
Helium plays a crucial role in various advanced sectors, including scientific research, medical technology, high-tech industries, space exploration, and defense.
Qatar's high-quality helium is used in applications such as MRI machines, semiconductors, specialized welding, deep-sea diving, industrial cooling, and entertainment.
G-Gas is a leading industrial gas company in China, operating for over 50 years, specializes in the design and operation of air separation units, gas storage and distribution facilities, digital operations, and gas application solutions. (end) sss.sar