Qatar's role in the global gas market
By
Marwa Rashad
March 2, 2026
LONDON, March 2 - Qatar, one of the world's largest liquefied natural gas producers, halted LNG and related output on Monday after strikes on facilities in Ras Laffan.
The country accounts for about 20% of global LNG exports, all of which transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to analysts. Here are some key facts:
** State-owned QatarEnergy shipped 80.97 million metric tons of LNG in 2025.
** It plans to expand output capacity to 142 million tons per annum (mtpa) by 2030, from currently 77 mtpa, which would give it about a quarter of the global market and make it the second-largest exporter after the United States.
** QE supplies Europe and predominantly Asian markets, with over 80% of customers in China, Japan, India, South Korea, Pakistan and other countries in the region.
** Traders estimate the company supplies 90%-95% of its gas under long-term contracts and 5%-10% under spot contracts.
** The country's LNG production facilities, liquefaction plants and export infrastructure are concentrated almost entirely in Ras Laffan, about 80 kilometres northeast of Doha.
** QE produces gas from the fields that it shares with Iran. All Qatari LNG cargoes must exit the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
** Global energy majors Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), opens new tab , Shell (SHEL.L), opens new tab, TotalEnergies (TOTAL.GH), opens new tab , Eni (ENI.MI), opens new tab , Conoco (COP.N), opens new tab and others are investors in Qatari LNG.
