Back to overview Home Fossil Energy QatarEnergy broadens its oil & gas footprint in Uruguay and Eastern Mediterranean QatarEnergy broadens its oil & gas footprint in Uruguay and Eastern Mediterranean Business Developments & Projects May 25, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic Share this article Qatar’s state-owned oil and gas giant QatarEnergy has taken steps to bring new   exploration blocks off the coast of Uruguay into its fold, while sealing a gas cooperation deal in the Eastern Mediterranean. Uruguay’s offshore blocks; Source: QatarEnergy QatarEnergy has acquired participating interests in three exploration blocks offshore the Oriental Republic of Uruguay from BG International , a subsidiary of the UK’s Shell . This portfolio enlargement entails an 18% interest in block OFF-4 , while Shell held 32%, and APA Corporation, as the operator, retained the remaining 50%. The Persian Gulf state’s giant has also secured a 30% interest in block OFF-2 , which is operated by the UK energy giant with a 70% interest. QatarEnergy has also obtained a 30% interest in the third exploration block  OFF-7 , with Shell as the operator, retaining 40%, and Chevron holding the remaining 30%. All three blocks are located offshore Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, covering areas ranging from 11,155 to 18,227 square kilometers in water depths ranging from 40 to 4,000 meters. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi , Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, commented: “We are pleased to strengthen our relations with our strategic partner Shell through these agreements, which mark our first entry into Uruguay’s upstream sector while further expanding our footprint in South America. “We would like to thank the Uruguayan authorities for their support, and we look forward to working with our partners on this opportunity and to achieve positive results for the benefit of all parties.” This content is available after accepting the cookies. Change cookie-settings View on Off