Can Qatari gas offset disruptions to Russian supply in Europe?

The United States, the world's top natural gas producer, has asked Qatar and other major energy producers to divert gas supplies to Europe if Russia attacks Ukraine and the United States imposes sanctions on Russia.

Russia, which supplies around a third of Europe's gas, has amassed some 120,000 troops near its neighbour but denies plans to invade Ukraine.

Any interruption of supplies because of an attack would worsen the existing energy crisis caused by a global shortage of oil and gas.

WHERE DOES EUROPE STAND?

Europe's natural gas supplies from Russia are mostly delivered through pipelines and since October last year have been well