Established in 1974, Qatar Petrleum (QP) is 100% owned by the state. It is responsible for all phases of crude oil and gas industry, including exploration and drilling for oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbon substances; production, refining, transport and storage of the aforementioned substances and any of their derivatives and by-products such as petrochemicals and liquefied natural gas LNG, as well as trading in, distribution, sale and export of these substances.
QP is formed of departments specializing in various fields of oil and gas industry.
The ministry of energy and industry undertakes planning and supervising the implementation of the strategy of oil and gas sector and related industries within the context of its general policy.
The state of Qatar continues, through QP and the concerted efforts of its high quality human resources, to implement the plans aiming to increase oil reserves and oil output capacity by developing onshore and offshore oil fields.
As the country is seeking to become one of the leading world exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), it has developed the following major LNG projects:
- Qatar Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Qatargas).
- Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Rasgas).

Other achievements of QP include the establishment of Ras Laffan seaport, whose annual output capacity of 30 thousand metric tons put it on a par with the world's largest LNG exporting terminals.

Gas Marketing
Qatar is doing its utmost to market the products of its gas sector. Several long-term sale and purchase agreements were concluded with Japan, Korea and Petronet Co. of India to export LNG produced by Qatargas and Rasgas. More sale and purchase agreements and heads of agreements were signed with the world's largest oil and gas companies; and massive large-scale projects are underway at present to set up larger and better LNG producing units.
Qatar intends to invest UD $ 25 billion in the next 6 years to increase the present LNG export capacity in excess of four-fold to reach 63.5 million tons by the year 2010. Negotiations have reached an advanced stage to sell 37 million tons of LNG to two US companies.
Qatar signed heads of agreements to supply the American and British markets with 7.5 and 15 million tons of LNG through Conocophilips Company and Exxon Mobil Company, respectively.
Presently Qatar exports about 15 million tons of LNG annually to Japan, South Korea, Spain and the USA; and the exported amount it reached about 26 million tons annually in 2006. Exports to India and Italy reached 7.5 and 3.5 million tons annually.
It is decided that several companies, Qatargas 2, Qatargas 3, Qatargas 4, Qatargas 5 and Qatargas 6 was established with a 70% stake taken by QP in both companies and 30% by Exxon Mobil in Qatargas 2 and 30% by Conocophilips in Qatargas 3.

Major Achievements of QP in Social and Environment Protection Fields
First: Qatar was the first in the Middle East to produce lead-free gasoline. Its program to phase out gasoline containing lead stared in the beginning of 1990s until 2000.
Second: recognizing the importance of the environmental effects, Qatar is using the most advanced and environment-friendly technologies and equipment to handle the problems of all kinds of solid an liquid waste and improve the work atmosphere and quality of air.
Third: Qatar's support for the national activities to protect the environment and nature has increased enormously. Its efforts in this field include afforestation projects at concession areas in Dukhan, Mesaieed and Ras Laffan industrial cities and developing the infrastructure in these areas, setting up marine and onshore sanctuaries and restoring traditional landmarks, waterfront asthmatic monuments and greenery to encourage tourism.
Fourth: Qatar is a leader in supporting charitable and social activities. Foremost among its achievements in this field is the establishment of a specialized center for children with special needs and supporting the cultural activities organized by other non-governmental bodies such as the Center for the Environment Friends.
Fifth: Qatar supports the researches and studies dealing with developing the human resources in the country, while caring for highlighting the works that advocate the protection of the environment. It has also published several studies, publications and environmental awareness material.

QP Investments

QP Subsidiaries:
Qatargas 3 Ltd 100%
Gulf Helicopter Company 100%
Al Koot Insurance And Reinsurance Company 100%
QP Gas Trading Company 100%
QP LNG Services Company 100%
Qatar Terminal Company 100%
Industries Qatar Company 70%
Qatar Nitrogen Company 50%
Qatar Holding Intermediate Industries Company 100%
QP International Company 100%
Amwaj Catering Services Company 100%
Al Shaheen Energy Services Company 100%
Qatar Gas 4 100%

QP has shareholdings in other local and Arab companies, including:
Qatar Fuel Distribution Company 40%
Qatar Shipping Company 18.5%
Qatar Metal Coating Company 35%
Qatar Real Estate Investment Company 0.7%
Qatar Plastic Production Company 26.6%
Qatar Electricity and Water Company 11.9%
Ras Laffan Power Company 10%
Qatar Gas Transport Company (NAKILAT)5.2%
Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (Bahrain) 18.8%
Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company (Kuwait) 14.8%
Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Saudi Arabia) 10%
Arab Petroleum Services Company (Libya) 10%
Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company (Egypt) 5%
Nakilat Agency Company 5%
Masraf Al Rayan 5%
United Stainless Steel Company (Bahrain) 17.5%
United Company for Rental of Helicopters (India) 36%
Mesaieed Power Company 20%
Sphere Investments Company LTD (Australia) 9.28%
Sphere Petroleum Company 5.2%
Gulf Industrial Investment Company (Bahrain) 25%
Shield Mining Company (Australia) 4.4%