Interview: Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah
In what ways has Qatar’s energy sector evolved to enable global exports and investment?
ABDULLAH BIN HAMAD AL ATTIYAH: Qatar’s energy sector has come a long way since the first discovery of oil in 1939. Before becoming a significant energy producer, the country gradually transitioned from a small oil producer to becoming a key international supplier of hydrocarbons. The successful production and commercialisation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) required a considerable period of development. Even the first oil shock in 1973 did not ignite demand for LNG. However, Qatar worked to secure long-term customers, ultimately achieving a significant milestone in 1997 by securing a foundational agreement with Japan for 6m tonnes per year.
Qatar has since become the leading LNG supplier to South Korea, China, India, Thailand and, more recently, Bangladesh and Kuwait. Qatar’s influence in the global natural gas segment extends beyond its borders, with investment in South Hook LNG Terminal in Wales, one of Europe’s largest, and Qatar Energy owning a majority share in the Golden Pass LNG Terminal in Texas, US, alongside ExxonMobil. These investments firmly establish Qatar as a key player in the global LNG market, expanding its longterm contracts worldwide, and consolidating its reputation as a reliable and timely supplier.
How is Qatar leveraging LNG to support national and global energy security?
AL ATTIYAH: The world faces a significant electricity shortage, with nearly 1bn people lacking access to power – particularly in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. While countries facing shortages race to construct power stations, they are also actively seeking international supply agreements. Even major economies such as China and India have become prominent buyers of LNG, driven by their expanding industrial frontiers and evolving energy mixes. Similarly, growing economies like Vietnam and Cambodia require a dependable power supply to sustain their momentum.
In the context of surging electricity demand and emissions-reduction goals, LNG stands out as a solution to mitigate pollution, particularly in urban areas. As countries strive to reduce their carbon footprint, they are strategically evaluating options to balance economic benefits, with many large global economies still reliant on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, natural gas offers advantages as the cleanest hydrocarbon, owing to its lower carbon content and flexibility in integration with renewable technologies.
To what extent do public and private stakeholders in Qatar collaborate to foster sustainable energy practices on a local and global scale?
AL ATTIYAH: Qatar recognises the finite nature of its oil and gas resources. This underscores the need to explore alternative energy sources, with renewables such as wind and solar set to become essential for future generations. In 2022 Qatar inaugurated its 800-MW Al Kharsaah solar power plant – a significant project slated for expansion in the future.
Elsewhere, water scarcity presents another important challenge. Qatar promotes research to reduce desalination costs, a vital initiative not only for sustaining life in the arid country, but also for supporting urban living and agricultural activities. Furthermore, Qatar boasts significant ethane resources and is currently building the Ras Laffan Petrochemicals Complex, featuring the largest ethane cracker in the Middle East. Qatar’s industrial landscape includes aluminium smelters, steel production, and significant exports of fertilisers and ammonia. One innovative approach involves creating hydrogen from ammonia, which showcases Qatar’s commitment to diversifying its energy portfolio and contributing to international sustainability efforts.
