DUBAI, Oct 18 Reuters Qatar has further expanded its longterm gas supply to Europe, reaching a supply deal with the Netherlands to provide 3.5 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas LNG a year for 27 years.

Two LNG sale and purchase agreements were signed between affiliates of QatarEnergy and Shell, QatarEnergy said on Wednesday, in a deal that mirrors one reached with TotalEnergies last week.

Qatari LNG from the massive North Field LNG production expansion project will be delivered to Gate LNG terminal at the Port of Rotterdam beginning in 2026.

The LNG volumes will be sourced from the two joint ventures between QatarEnergy and Shell that hold interests in Qatar39;s North Field East NFE and North Field South NFS expansion projects, QatarEnergy said in a statement.

Shell holds a 6.25 stake in the North Field East project and a 9.375 share in the North Field South project.

The deal follows an identical one between QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies last week, until then Qatar39;s biggest and longest gas supply deal with Europe.

Asia, with an appetite for longterm sales and purchase agreements, has thus far outpaced Europe in locking in supply from Qatar39;s twophase expansion plan that will raise its liquefaction capacity to 126 million metric tons a year by 2027 from 77 million.

QatarEnergy has signed deals to supply LNG from the expansion to Asian buyers over the past year in China and elsewhere.

The Asian deals include a 27year supply agreement with China39;s…