SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Qatar aims to sell 61 million tons of uncontracted natural gas

Nearly 40% of Qatar’s projected liquefied natural gas volumes remain uncontracted, raising questions about its strategy amid growing international competition.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 $/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Qatar, the world’s leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), faces a major strategic challenge. While the country plans to significantly increase its production to 152 million tons per year (mt/year) by 2030, approximately 61 million tons, or nearly 40%, remain uncontracted. This situation could impact its dominant position in the international market.

A more competitive market

With the emergence of new players such as the United States, the global LNG market has become more competitive. Buyers, especially in Asia, now prefer shorter and more flexible contracts, a trend that contrasts with Qatar’s rigid contractual policies.

Unlike competitors such as Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC), which offers flexible clauses for deliveries in both Europe and Asia, QatarEnergy maintains strict restrictions, which could limit its attractiveness to Asian buyers.

Uncontracted volumes: risk or strategy?

Some analysts believe the uncontracted volume may reflect a deliberate strategy to capitalize on the spot market, where prices are more volatile but potentially more profitable. However, others see it as a significant risk, especially if the global market becomes oversupplied by the end of the decade.

According to a recent report, QatarEnergy could face difficulties securing contracts due to its rigidity on aspects such as destination flexibility and contract durations.

Strengthening QatarEnergy Trading’s role

To address these challenges, QatarEnergy could intensify the operations of its subsidiary QatarEnergy Trading (QET), specializing in LNG trading on the spot market and short-term contracts. Recently, QET won a tender from GAIL, an Indian company, with a Henry Hub-indexed offer, illustrating a gradual adaptation to the growing demand for flexibility.

Perspectives for Qatar

Faced with increasing competition and evolving buyer requirements, Qatar will need to adjust its strategy. The combination of increased production, a rapidly changing market, and heightened competition could force the country to adopt more flexible policies to maintain its influence in the natural gas sector.

Strategic decisions in the coming years will be crucial for Qatar’s ability to retain its leadership in a rapidly evolving global market.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Kyoto Group commissions world’s largest industrial thermal storage unit in Hungary
Eni invests in the industrial conversion of its petrochemical site in Priolo
Clariant targeted by BP and ExxonMobil in ethylene case
Electricity access stalls with 730 million people still unconnected in 2024
Veolia and TotalEnergies sign agreement to optimise industrial resources
Tailwater raises $1.1bn to strengthen Producers Midstream and support its expansion
Tailwater Capital secures $600mn in debt and $500mn in equity to recapitalise Producers Midstream II and support infrastructure development in the southern United States.
Well-filled gas reserves could save Germany €25 billion in losses
An economic study reveals that Germany’s gas storage levels could prevent up to €25 billion in economic losses during a winter supply shock.
New Fortress Energy initiates commissioning of 624 MW CELBA 2 power plant in Brazil
New Fortress Energy has initiated the initial ignition of its 624 MW CELBA 2 power plant in Brazil, starting the commissioning phase ahead of commercial operations expected later this year.
Talen Energy secures $1.2bn to acquire two natural gas power plants in the United States
Talen Energy launches $1.2bn debt financing and expands credit facilities to support strategic acquisitions of two combined-cycle natural gas power plants.
Ukraine plans to increase gas imports by 30% after Russian strikes
The Ukrainian government is preparing to raise natural gas imports by 30% to offset damage to its energy infrastructure and ensure supply continuity during the winter season.
Global natural gas power generation market to reach $122.49bn by 2030
Driven by rising electricity demand and grid flexibility needs, natural gas power generation is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.8% through 2030.
Talen Energy raises $1.2bn to finance two gas-fired power plants in the United States
Talen Energy secures $1.2bn term financing and increases two credit facilities to support the acquisition of two natural gas power plants with a combined capacity of 2,881 MW.
Tenaz Energy acquires strategic North Sea gas assets for $339mn
Tenaz Energy finalised the purchase of stakes in the GEMS project between Dutch and German waters, aiming to boost production to 7,000 boe/d by 2026.
Sembcorp secures new 10-year contract for its Salalah power plant
Sembcorp Salalah Power & Water Company has obtained a new 10-year Power and Water Purchase Agreement from Nama Power and Water Procurement Company, ensuring operational continuity until 2037.
Eni resumes offshore drilling in Libya after five-year suspension
Eni North Africa restarts drilling operations on well C1-16/4 off the Libyan coast, suspended since 2020, aiming to complete exploration near the Bahr Es Salam gas field.
GOIL commits $50mn to expand LPG storage capacity in Ghana
GOIL is investing $50mn to expand its LPG storage capacity in response to sustained demand growth and to improve national supply security.
QatarEnergy acquires 27% stake in Egypt’s offshore North Cleopatra block
QatarEnergy continues its international expansion by acquiring 27% of the offshore North Cleopatra block from Shell, amid Egypt’s strategic push to revive gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Wood Mackenzie: the UK can double North Sea reserves without breaching climate limits
An analysis by Wood Mackenzie shows that expanding UK oil and gas production would reduce costs and emissions while remaining within international climate targets.
Ukrainian suspected in Nord Stream sabotage faces possible extradition
Polish authorities have 40 days to decide on the extradition of a Ukrainian accused of participating in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
Shizuoka Gas closes tender for seven-year LNG contract starting 2027
The Japanese company has completed the first phase of a tender for five annual cargoes of liquefied natural gas over seven years starting in April 2027, amid a gradual contractual renewal process.
Baker Hughes to supply key liquefaction equipment for Port Arthur LNG Phase 2
Baker Hughes has secured a contract from Bechtel to provide gas turbines and compressors for the second phase of Sempra Infrastructure’s LNG export project in Texas.
Targa invests $1.6bn in NGL pipeline between Permian and Mont Belvieu
Targa Resources will build a 500,000 barrels-per-day pipeline in the Permian Basin to connect its assets to Mont Belvieu, strengthening its logistics network with commissioning scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
J&F Investimentos targets EDF’s thermal plant amid Brazil’s booming energy M&A
Brazilian holding J&F Investimentos is in talks to acquire EDF’s Norte Fluminense thermal plant, valued up to BRL2bn ($374 million), as energy-related M&A activity surges across the country.
Chevron puts Colorado pipeline assets up for sale for more than $2 billion
Chevron has appointed Bank of America to manage the sale of pipeline infrastructure in the Denver-Julesburg basin, targeting a valuation of over $2 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Hungary secures 10-year LNG contract with Engie through 2038
Hungary has signed a ten-year agreement with Engie for the annual import of 400 mn m³ of liquefied natural gas starting in 2028, reinforcing its energy diversification strategy despite its ongoing reliance on Russian gas.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3$/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.