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Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Country Notes

Qatar

Proved recoverable reserves (crude oil and NGLs, million tonnes)	1 852
Production (crude oil and NGLs, million tonnes, 2005)	45.8
R/P ratio (years)	40.6
Year of first commercial production	1949

In regional terms, Qatar's oil resources are relatively small, its strength being much more in natural gas. In the 1930s interest in its prospects was aroused by the discovery of oil in neighbouring Bahrain. The Dukhan field was discovered in 1939 but commercialisation was deferred until after World War II. During the period 1960-1970, several offshore fields were found, and Qatar's oil output grew steadily. It joined OPEC in 1961 and also became a member of OAPEC.

The level of proved recoverable oil reserves (15 207 million barrels) retained for the present Survey is that quoted by OPEC in its Annual Statistical Bulletin 2005. Currently BP and OAPEC (both in slightly rounded form) and Oil & Gas Journal all concur with OPEC's assessment, but World Oil is one-third higher at 20 346 million barrels.

Qatar is a major producer of NGLs: its 2005 output was more than 9 million tonnes (262 000 b/d). Exports of crude oil and NGLs are consigned very largely to Japan, the Republic of Korea and other Asia/Pacific countries.