Qatar’s LNG exports were largely resilient in 2020. Shipping data indicates that Qatar may have been the world’s largest LNG exporter in 2020, reclaiming the title from Australia.
However, given the marginal difference between the two country’s exports and uncertainty surrounding the precise level of Qatar’s LNG exports, an accurate assessment of totals is difficult.
Qatar’s LNG exports are forecast to be relatively steady in 2021, hovering around 79 million tonnes.
However, later in the projection period, Qatar’s LNG exports are expected to increase significantly, as a result of the $US29 billion North Field East project, anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
This project has a nameplate capacity of 33 million tonnes, lifting Qatar’s export capacity to 110 million tonnes.
Qatar has reaffirmed its intention to increase LNG capacity beyond the 126 mtpa target by 2027.
