Qatar plans to further increase its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity following the discovery of vast new gas reserves, as it looks to tap surging demand from China and other Asian nations.
The move, which comes on top of planned increases to output announced in recent years, will mean that its overall production capacity will rise almost 85 per cent from current levels before the end of the decade, according to an announcement on Sunday.
The plans mark a bet by the Middle Eastern state that strong demand for the fuel will continue, with Asian economies switching from coal as part of efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions. The move also comes as the US reviews its own LNG export plans to consider the impact on the country’s energy security and carbon footprint.