Qatar gas industry
Summary
Qatar Energy LNG is a key company in Qatar's LNG industry.
Qatar is one of the top three LNG exporters to the global market. At the same time, the gas industry is dominant in Qatar's economy. Shipments are coming from two existing factories, QatarGas and RasGas. The QatarGas-NorthField plant is being actively constructed and heavily marketed with a nominal capacity of 49 million tons of LNG per year.
Top three countries importing Qatari LNG are China, India, and South Korea.
LNG plant
Recently two LNG plants of Qatar (QatarGas and RasGas) were organized in one mega plant, the biggest on Earth.
Qatar is on the way to build new 31.2 MTPA capacities of new LNG trains of its two plants. These capacity additions are scheduled to go live 2026-2027. And in addition Qatar announced to growth capacity further.
LNG export
LNG loadings
The table “Monthly LNG loadings volumes “ provides statistics on the loading of gas carriers at Ras Lafan, the only LNG loading port in Qatar. The data is available from October 2022. 01.MM.YYYY means shipments for the entire calendar month starting on that day. Shipments for the current month are indicated by cumulative total from the first day of the month to the current date. The delay in receiving data is up to one day. The data is updated automatically.
The table “Details of LNG loadings in Qatar during last 30 days“ provides the data on loading of gas carriers at gas-liquefying plants ar Ras Laffan during last 30 days and is updated automatically.
LNG export destinations
The table “Destination countries of Qatari LNG Export" provides statistics on importing countries of Qatari LNG with aggregation by calendar months. The date of gas carrier loading is used, the data on importing country is available upon discharge. The data has been provided since 01.09.2022 and is updated automatically. Data for the current month is shown as a cumulative total.
The current top three countries importing the Qatari LNG are China, South Korea, and India. This choice is logical: Qatar is located closely to these markets and its vessels do not need have to cross problematic channels (Suez, Panama). Among the importers are the second tier countries, whose share varies depending on the current market trends - Pakistan, Taiwan (province of China), Kuwait, Great Britain, Belgium, Italy.
EU
Qatar is the number three LNG supplier to EU. Qatar is consistently increasing its penetration into the European gas market, including long-term lease of regasification terminals.
Qatar Energy aims at controling supply chain from natural gas well to wholesale gas markets sales in North-Western Europe.
In Q4 2024 European Commission due to Qatar's non-subordination to Europe (the official wording, as always in Europe, is different - due to “non-compliance with environmental norms and social standards”) announced an additional tax (formally in the form of a fine) on LNG imports from Qatar in the amount of 5% of global revenue Qatar Energy. The estimated amount of the payment requested by the EU for the right to continue supplying Qatari gas to the block is 8 bAED / 16 bCNY / 181 bINR / 210 bRUR / 2 bUSD. In October 2025, Qatar's Minister of State for Energy and CEO of Qatar Energy Saad bin Sharida al-Kaabi explicitly indicated that Qatar is considering refusing to supply LNG to EU if an attempt was made to confiscate amount of the so-called fine.
UK
In July 2025, QatarEnergy began deliveries to Isle of Grain regasification terminal near London area under 25-year lease agreement for 7.2 MTPA of regasification capacity (half of the terminal's total capacity). This indicates Qatar's desire to maintain supplies to the European market and reduce dependence on the decisions of European Commission.
Pakistan
In September 2025, Pakistani LNG importers Pakistan State Oil Company (PSO) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) requested QatarEnergy’s consent to reduce the number of cargoes under existing SPA. These companies presented the Qatari exporter four options for rationalizing LNG supplies due to limited flexibility under existing contracts. This step was taken due to t oversupply of regasified liquefied natural gas at domestic marker caused by a decrease in demand from private and energy consumers. A decrease in demand, especially from gas TPPs, after an increase in fixed tariffs and the introduction of autonomous fees, led to a surplus of natural gas on the market. It is predicted that between July 2025 and 2031, about 177 LNG cargoes will remain surplus.
In October 2025, it was reported that Pakistan plans to cancel 24 shipments of LNG from Qatar in 2026.
Pipeline export
UAE and Oman
Qatar-based Dolphin Energy produces gas at North Field, processes at the Gas Processing Plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, and then transports the gas by offshore pipeline to Gas Receiving Facilities at Taweelah in Abu Dhabi, UAE and further to Oman. The facility has started gas supply in July 2007. Capacity is significant 57 mcm per day.
Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala owns 51% share of the company. The other 49% owned by French TotalEnergies and US Oxy.
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