DOHA, Qatar, March 11 (UPI) -- Qatar Petroleum announced Monday that it made a natural gas discovery off the Qatari coast while working with German energy company Wintershall.
Qatar Petroleum and Wintershall said they discovered natural gas while working in Block 4 North in shallow waters off the country's coast.
Qatari Energy Minister and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada said in a statement the discovery represents a "strong exploration drive" offshore.
"We are very pleased that we have found a new gas discovery in Qatar," he added.
Qatar ranks third in proven natural gas reserves and has increased its role in the European market by way of liquefied natural gas. With 890 trillion cubic feet of estimated natural gas reserves, the country holds 13 percent of the total global gas reserves.
Neither company offered an estimate of the reserve potential from Block 4 North.
