FACTBOX-Qatar's role in the global gas market

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:

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 , Shell SHEL.L, TotalEnergies TOTAL.GH , Eni ENI.MI , Conoco COP.N and others are investors in Qatari LNG.