Finance
Factbox-Qatar's role in the global gas market
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Qatar halted LNG production in Ras Laffan on March 2 2026 after Iranian drone strikes, removing roughly 20% of global LNG exports and spotlighting its critical role as a low‑cost supplier and major capacity expander.
Qatar’s Influence and Expansion in the Global LNG Market Explained
Qatar’s Role and Ambitions in the LNG Sector
By Marwa Rashad
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:
QatarEnergy’s Production and Export Capacity
State-owned QatarEnergy shipped 80.97 million metric tons of LNG in 2025.
Expansion Plans and Market Share
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.
Key Export Markets and Contract Structures
Regional Distribution of LNG Exports
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.
Long-term vs. Spot Contracts
Traders estimate the company supplies 90%-95% of its gas under long-term contracts and 5%-10% under spot contracts.
Infrastructure and Strategic Partnerships
Production Facilities and Export Routes
The country's LNG production facilities, liquefaction plants and export infrastructure are concentrated almost entirely in Ras Laffan, about 80 kilometres northeast of Doha.
Shared Gas Fields and Shipping Routes
QE produces gas from the fields that it shares with Iran. All Qatari LNG cargoes must exit the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
International Investment in Qatari LNG
Global energy majors Exxon Mobil , Shell, TotalEnergies , Eni , Conoco and others are investors in Qatari LNG.
(Reporting by Marwa Rashad; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
Key Takeaways
- •Qatar supplies nearly a fifth of the world’s LNG, with virtually all exports passing through the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz (eia.gov).
- •It has shipped about 80 Mt in 2025 and is expanding its LNG capacity from ~77 Mtpa to ~142 Mtpa by 2030 via North Field East, South and West phases (rigzone.com).
- •The production halt sparked global gas price spikes (~50% in Europe) and underlined the strategic importance of Qatar’s long‑term contracts and infrastructure at Ras Laffan (ft.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Factbox-Qatar's role in the global gas market
1How much of the world's LNG exports does Qatar account for?
Qatar accounts for about 20% of global LNG exports, making it one of the largest producers worldwide.
2Where are Qatar's LNG production and export facilities located?
Qatar's LNG production facilities, liquefaction plants, and export infrastructure are mostly concentrated in Ras Laffan, northeast of Doha.
3Through which route do all Qatari LNG cargoes exit the Gulf?
All Qatari LNG cargoes must exit the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
4What is QatarEnergy's planned LNG output capacity for 2030?
QatarEnergy plans to expand its LNG output capacity to 142 million tons per annum (mtpa) by 2030.
5Who are some major investors in Qatari LNG projects?
Global energy majors like Exxon Mobil, Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, and Conoco are key investors in Qatari LNG projects.
