Gulf News reported that Qatar and Jordan are inching closer to constructing a multimillion dollar offshore gas terminal in Aqaba and a number of reception terminals in Jordan by 2013 to help the kingdom receive liquefied gas to replace imports from Egypt.

Mr Qutaiba Abu Qura minister of energy of Jordan told Gulf News that the plan aims to make up for the heavy dependence on Egyptian gas supplies which were badly affected after pipelines spanning 400 kilometers in the Sinai Peninsula were targeted in ten acts of sabotage affecting supplies of liquefied gas to Jordan.

He said that "We had very technical talks about this project and we discussed its financial feasibility. A gas deal between the two countries is within reach."

For his part, Mr Mohammad Bin Saleh, Qatar's minister of energy, said that "The talks were very positive and we explored the possibility of providing Jordan with Qatari liquefied gas and natural gas."

He said that it would take Jordan up to three years to benefit from any new energy agreement due to infrastructure requirements.

(Sourced from www.gulfnews.com)