Amir inaugurates LNG2026

Doha, Qatar: Under the patronage, and in the presence, of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the 21st International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026) was inaugurated yesterday at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha.

LNG2026, the world’s premier LNG event, which will continue until February 5, provides Qatar with an important platform to showcase its achievements and forward-looking vision for the pivotal role of LNG in supporting the global economy.

Delivering the opening speech, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, H E Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi highlighted the expansion projects. “Qatar energy will become in the near future the biggest exporter of LNG, chemical products, and helium gas,” he said.

Minister Al-Kaabi highlighted QatarEnergy’s main achievements as part of its strategic expansion programme in the petrochemicals sector, which will increase its polymer production capacity, both within Qatar and internationally, by about 235 percent compared to current levels, thus enhancing its ability to provide high-value products. This is in addition to increasing Qatar’s production of condensates and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by about 60 percent and helium by 115 percent.

QatarEnergy is working to support global food security by establishing a new world-class urea fertilizer production complex, which will increase its current production capacity by more than 110 percent, becoming the world’s largest urea exporter. With this, QatarEnergy will become, within the next few years, the world’s largest exporter of LNG, chemical fertilizers, and helium, he added.

Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy H E Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi addressing the LNG2026 conference, yesterday.

Minister Al-Kaabi noted that QatarEnergy’s expansion projects will double Qatar’s LNG production. 

“The mega-projects we have launched a few years ago will more than double QatarEnergy’s LNG production from 77 million tonnes per annum to 160 million tonnes per annum, including 142 million tonnes per annum from Qatar’s North Field. Hereby, our projects will contribute about 40 percent of the new global LNG supplies over the next decade,” he said 

"It is a source of great pleasure to host this event at a time when QatarEnergy is emerging as a leading force in the energy sector in general, and in the LNG industry in particular, through its expanding role in meeting global energy markets’ needs and ensuring reliable supplies. 

"With the grace of God Almighty, and with the continuous and unwavering support and wise guidance of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, we are continuing this journey with firm confidence, strengthening the State of Qatar’s presence and standing among nations,” Minister Al Kaabi said.

He further provided an overview of the efforts to invest in expanding production and storage, as well as emission reduction. 

Highlighting the LNG transportation sector, Minister Al Kaabi said, “We have launched the largest shipbuilding programme in the industry’s history, comprising 128 state-of-the-art LNG carriers with outstanding operational and environmental standards.  

“We have already received 38 new vessels and will receive a new one every three weeks. This will give QatarEnergy the largest LNG carrier fleet in the world, reaching about 200 vessels within the next few years,” he added.

LNG2026 serves to reinforce Qatar’s leading position in the LNG industry and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring energy security and equitable access to energy within the framework of a realistic, practical, and effective energy transition.

The conference is expected to draw about 4,000 participants and 16,000 visitors, while the accompanying exhibition spans 35,000 square meters and features over 300 exhibiting companies. 

QatarEnergy is organising LNG2026 in cooperation with the International Gas Union, the Gas Technology Institute, and the International Institute of Refrigeration, and with the participation of prominent speakers and leading figures in the global LNG industry.