Qatar Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in qatar, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Oil & Gas Field Machinery Equipment
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Overview

Qatar is one of the largest global exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG). It possesses the third largest known reserve of natural gas in the world after Russia and Iran and has existing reserves of approximately 843 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, 11 % of the world’s proven natural gas reserves. Crude oil production is at approximately 1.746 million barrels per day, making Qatar one of the top 15 oil exporting countries and one of the world’s major fertilizer producers. Qatar is undertaking a $50 billion North Field Expansion (NFE) East, South, and West projects in the LNG sector. The market is vibrant and there are significant opportunities for U.S. companies offering products and services in the LNG production process. 

LNG, crude oil, and petroleum exports constitute most of the government’s total revenue for the past several years. In 2024, the hydrocarbon sector contributed around 60 % of Qatar’s GDP. The oil and gas industry remains the most active and robust sector in the country and will likely continue to play a leading role in the future. This sector also includes the most significant export and investment opportunities for U.S. companies over the past year, both in terms of dollar value and strategic interest. Considering the ongoing construction and development of the NFE, by 2030 there is an expected 85 % increase from 2024 when both phases will be online, there will be more potential opportunities for interested U.S. companies.

QatarEnergy, the state-owned oil and gas company, oversees the oil, gas, fertilizer, petrochemicals, and refining operations in Qatar. QatarEnergy has invested billions of dollars overseas and is a global leader in LNG extraction. Through strategic partnerships, Qatar Energy has solidified several long-term supply agreements with companies in Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. Europe is a growing LNG import destination for Qatar through its regasification terminals located in Belgium, France, Germany Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom. 

QatarEnergy has announced several overseas acquisitions and investments in hydrocarbon blocks in Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Egypt, Guyana, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Oman, South Africa, and Suriname. In 2022, QatarEnergy also acquired hydrogen blocks in Egypt and Canada. Despite the Gulf Rift from June 2017-January 2021, Qatar continued to supply LNG to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Dolphin sub-sea pipeline, which provides 40 % of the UAE’s power generation. In 2019, QatarEnergy invested a total of $18 billion in the U.S. energy sector, in the $10 billion Golden Pass LNG Terminal and an $8 billion petrochemical plant on the Texas Gulf Coast. Qatar’s natural gas production costs are among the lowest in the world, enabling cost-effective LNG and Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) technology. The Pearl GTL plant is the world’s largest facility of its kind and was the first to integrate upstream natural gas production with a downstream conversion facility.

In May 2017, the 12-year moratorium on LNG extraction from the North Field was lifted, allowing QatarEnergy to proceed with the NFE project, which will increase LNG production in two phases. The first phase of the NFE project is expected to increase capacity by 43% from 2024’s 77 million tons per annum (mtpa) to 110 mtpa by 2026. The second phase of NFE, called the North Field South and West Projects, will increase the production capacity from 110 mtpa to 142 mtpa, a total of 85% increase by 2030. 

In June 2022, the Government of Qatar selected partners for the NFE project which includes the development of six LNG mega-trains. QatarEnergy also awarded the construction of a petrochemical complex that will have 2.1 mtpa ethane capacity which is expected to start its production by 2026. Potential follow-on opportunities are outlined below under “Opportunities.” 
The key business drivers for the oil and gas industry in Qatar are evolving in three segments: upstream, midstream, and downstream. U.S. companies should consider providing products and services that focus on exploration and production, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), automation and systems, drilling, pipeline, oilfield or well servicing, and refinery.
 

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

  • Oil & Gas Field Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies
  • Oil & Gas Field Services
  • Green/Clean Energy Technology
  • Automation/Smart Digital Technology and Renewables
     

Opportunities

Qatar is poised to increase its LNG capacity and diversify products, projecting high growth in the coming years. QatarEnergy’s focus on major contracts for the North Field Expansion, together with the upcoming development of the petrochemical complex and ethane cracker facility, are likely to be key drivers of business activities in the energy sector. To maximize such opportunities, it is important to take part in energy-related events and trade shows and to connect with the resources that are readily available with the U.S. Commercial Service.

Trade Shows 

RE+ Largest Clean Energy Event in North America
September 8-11, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada

LNG2026
February 2-5, 2026
Doha, Qatar

Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2026
May 4-7, 2026
Houston, Texas

Waste Expo
May 3-6, 2027
Las Vegas, Nevada

Resources

Contact the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy for more information.
 

Qatari Business Tender List

  • The Qatar Public Works Authority, also known as Ashghal, was established in 2004 as an autonomous body to oversee all infrastructure related projects, as well as public amenities of the State, and is under the Ministry of Municipality.
     
  • The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the national aviation authority of Qatar. The CAA comprises five departments: Air Navigation, Air Safety, Air Transportation and Airport Affairs, Meteorology, and Joint Services in order to promote civil aviation and weather forecasts in terms of efficiency, accuracy and security.
     
  • Kahramaa, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation, was established in 2000 as the sole transmission and distribution system owner and operator for the electricity and water sector in Qatar.
     
  • Qatar Rail is an independent entity established in 2011 by Emiri Decree. It is responsible for managing, operating and maintaining Qatar’s rail network including the Doha metro and Lusail Tram as well as future rail projects. It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, but it has its own board of directors and management team.
     

Raw Materials

  • QAFCO, the country’s first large-scale venture in the petrochemical sector, the Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO) was established with a view to diversify the economy and utilize the nation’s enormous gas reserve.
     
  • Q-Chem Company Ltd. (Q-Chem) is a Qatari company owned by QatarEnergy (formerly QatarPetroleum) and Chevron Phillips Chemical International Qatar Holdings LLC (CPCIQ). The Q-Chem facility is an integrated petrochemical plant capable of producing high-density and medium-density polyethylene (HDPE & MDPE), 1-hexene, and other products.
     
  • Qatar Steel Company was formed in 1974 as the first integrated steel plant in the Arabian Gulf. Today, Qatar Steel is widely recognized as a foremost leader in the steel industry, having extended its pioneering commitment from an expansive mill site located in the heart of the Mesaieed industrial area. The company also operates a U.A.E.-based subsidiary, Qatar Steel Company FZE.
     

Education

  • Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) aims to support Qatar on its journey from a carbon reliant economy to a knowledge-based economy by “unlocking human potential.” QF aims to bring world-class education, work experience, and career opportunities to Qatar’s youth.
     

Government Agencies of Interest

Oil and Gas

Real Estate Development

  • Msheireb
    Msheireb Properties is a real estate company and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. The company was established as a commercial venture to support the Foundation’s aims of creating leading edge urban living concepts that build on traditional Arabian architecture and design and contribute to the social and cultural heritage of Doha.
     

  • Qatari Diar
    Qatari Diar Real Estate Company was established in 2005 by the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar. Headquartered in Doha, Qatari Diar is entrusted to support Qatar’s growing economy and to coordinate the country’s real estate development priorities.