Qatar targets long-term and spot LNG markets

World leader advances its strategy to commercialise existing and planned export upgrades

Qatar Petroleum (QP) has been making major inroads to secure a variety of buyers for its long-term LNG supplies ahead of major production increases. While other Mid-East Gulf NOCs, notably ­Saudi Aramco and the UAE’s Adnoc, have already made such strides to guarantee the ability to place their crude oil and products, particularly in Asia, state-owned QP is belatedly joining the party, albeit with a focus on gas. With demand for hydrocarbons uncertain due to the potential lasting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and a push towards cleaner energy—led by Europe, but gathering momentum too in North America and Asia—bringing trading in-house is expected to offer producers greater control and flex