LNG2026 underlines pivotal role of LNG in the global economy

The 21st International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026) has opened at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, underlining the pivotal role of LNG in supporting the global economy and Qatar’s leading position in the LNG industry

Delivering the conference’s opening address, His Excellency Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the president and CEO of QatarEnergy, 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.

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

H.E. Al-Kaabi provided an overview of the efforts to invest in expanding production, and storage, as well as emission reduction. Highlighting the LNG transportation sector, he 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.”

Main achievements

His Excellency 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% 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% and helium by 115%.

He added, “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%, 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."

At a plenary panel discussion with the CEOs of QatarEnergy’s partner international energy companies H.E. Al-Kaabi forecast increasing demand for gas, driven by global economic growth and other factors like artificial intelligence and data centres, while oil “will be needed for a very long time”.

The session titled “Global LNG Dynamics: An Industry Perspective” was held with the participation of Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, Darren Woods, executive chair and CEO of ExxonMobil, Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell, and Ryan Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips.

H.E. Al-Kaabi said, “QatarEnergy, along with its partners represented on the panel, are building LNG for the future with the lowest carbon footprint you can have. Everywhere where you'll see exploration blocks that are looking for oil or gas, you'll find QatarEnergy working there.”

His Excellency stressed that the world cannot live without energy. “People need to be prosperous, including about a billion people don't have the basic electricity that we enjoy. We can't deprive them of that growth.”

H.E. Al-Kaabi highlighted the importance of demand in driving the LNG industry, and while pointing out to Asian economies that are driving the main demand, His Excellency said “we must not forget the Middle East region, where gas is required in many parts as population growth requires additional power for continued growth that often comes from gas complemented by renewables.”

He stressed, “We are doing our best to develop and adopt the best technologies to reduce emissions, including CO2 sequestration in order to deliver the most affordable energy to the market in the most environmentally responsible manner. It is important for policymakers to be realistic about what can and cannot be delivered. They need to listen to the people who understand the business.”

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. The four-day LNG2026 conference programme includes panel discussions with industry leaders and experts, and interactive debates on key topics, including the competitive advantages of LNG and its role in meeting global energy demand.

The conference is expected to draw about 4,000 participants and 16,000 visitors, while the accompanying exhibition features over 300 exhibiting companies. QatarEnergy is participating with an 800-square-meter pavilion showcasing its history and its role as one of the world's largest LNG producers.

On the sidelines of the event, QatarEnergy signed a 27-year Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with JERA, Japan’s largest power generation company, for the supply of up to three million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG from Qatar to Japan, with deliveries starting in 2028. QatarEnergy also signed a MoU with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI) and JERA to supply Japan with additional LNG during emergency situations.