As of end-2015 Qatar was the world’s largest LNG producer with 77mn tons/year of liquefaction capacity. But it will be overtaken by Australia during 2017 and likely by the US early next decade (see table 1).

Since 2005 it has had a moratorium on new development of its giant North Field, which supplies all 14 of Qatar’s LNG trains. This is set to continue. Instead of trying to compete on volume Qatar is instead focused on adapting to a new LNG world. The growth of new supplies elsewhere coincides with structural changes to Qatar’s sales portfolio, increasing the potential for marketing flexibility and strategic partnerships. (CONTINUED - 1851 WORDS)