India is approaching the renewal of a significant contract for importing liquefied gas from Qatar.

A senior Indian government official suggested today, Wednesday, that Petronet, the largest importer of liquefied natural gas in India, is likely to renew a major import contract with Qatar by the end of January.

The official, who requested anonymity as the information is not available to the public, explained that the “Petronat” contract, which is a 25-year agreement with Qatar to purchase 7.5 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually, is supposed to be renewed before its expiration in 2028, five years in advance.

He stated that the contract was postponed to a date after the targeted deadline at the end of December due to its complex nature. The new contract may last for a period of time, which is often a requirement when purchasing from Qatar.

Qatar is constructing a massive expansion to its liquefied natural gas export facility, which is set to begin later this decade. Additionally, the company’s increased commitment to India is expected to help find a major buyer. Qatar Energy Company did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.