Ras Laffan

Ras Laffan is a major industrial port and energy hub located on the north-eastern coast of Qatar, approximately 80 kilometres north of the capital Doha. The facility serves as the country's principal export terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is one of the largest LNG production and export complexes in the world. Ras Laffan Industrial City, as the broader development is known, was established in the 1990s to exploit Qatar's vast offshore North Field gas reserves, the largest single non-associated natural gas field globally. The site houses multiple LNG trains operated by Qatargas and RasGas (now merged under Qatargas), with a combined production capacity exceeding 77-million tonnes a year. In addition to LNG facilities, Ras Laffan accommodates gas-to-liquids plants, condensate refineries, helium extraction units and petrochemical complexes. The port features dedicated berthing infrastructure for LNG carriers and handles the majority of Qatar's gas exports to markets across Asia, Europe and beyond. Ras Laffan's strategic location on the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, positions it as a critical node in global energy supply chains. The facility is operated by Qatar Energy (formerly Qatar Petroleum) and its joint-venture partners, including international energy majors. Ongoing expansion projects aim to increase LNG production capacity to 126-million tonnes a year by 2027, reinforcing Qatar's position as the world's leading LNG exporter. The industrial city also supports downstream industries and provides significant employment and revenue for the Qatari economy.