The oil & gas year

Qatar has received acclaim for being one of the fastest and most successful development models in recent history, turning the small Gulf state into a world leader of hydrocarbons infrastructure, LNG exports and a global destination for conference and sporting events.

Over the past two decades, Qatar’s National Vision 2030 has rapidly developed oil and gas reserves both on and offshore. The country shares the world’s largest gas field (North Field) with neighboring Iran. The cautious development of this field allowed Qatar at the end of 2010 to reach its goal of a production capacity of 77 million tonnes of LNG per annum, becoming both the world’s largest producer and exporter of LNG.

Following the completion of several mega-projects examined in The Oil & Gas Year Qatar 2011, including the LNG trains and the Shell Pearl GTL plant, set for completion in 2011, the country has shifted its focus in its National Development Strategy 2011-2016 from energy to infrastructure and social development to balance Qatar’s energy industry with the complete development needed to take the country from emerging market status to a fully developed nation.

The Oil & Gas Year Qatar 2011 concentrates on the major projects that have been or are soon to be completed including the last LNG trains, the Nakilat shipyards and the Pearl GTL. In addition, for the first time we dedicate an entire chapter to the work being done at Qatar Science & Technology Park to add value to the global energy industry through high-tech research and development.