Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Natural Gas Country Notes

Qatar's gas resources far outweigh its oil endowment: its proved reserves of gas of almost 26 trillion m3 are only exceeded within the Middle East by those reported by Iran, and account for nearly 15% of global gas reserves. The WEC Member Committee for Qatar reports that remaining proved recoverable reserves (here defined as 'proven ultimate recovery minus cumulative production') were 905.24 tcf (25 633 bcm) at end-2005. Published sources are all closely in line with this level.

Although associated gas has been discovered in oil fields both on land and offshore, the key factor in Qatar's gas situation is non-associated gas, particularly that in the offshore North Field, one of the largest gas reservoirs in the world. The WEC Member Committee reports that non-associated gas accounts for almost 99% of Qatar's gas reserves.

Production of North Field gas began in 1991 and by 2005 Qatar's total annual gross production had risen to about 58 bcm; 3.5% was re-injected and around 10% lost through shrinkage. The gas consumed locally is principally for power generation/desalination, fertiliser and petrochemical production and gas industry own use.

Since the end of 1996, Qatar has become a substantial exporter of LNG; in 2005, shipments exceeded 27 bcm of gas, of which 31% was consigned to Japan, 31% to the Republic of Korea, 21% to India, 17% to Spain and a small amount to the USA.