Qatar Petroleum - Pipelines, Exports and Refineries

Pipelines, Exports and Refineries

QP operates Qatar’s oil pipeline network, which transports supplies from oil fields to the country’s lone refinery and export terminals. QP operates an expansive offshore pipeline network that brings crude oil from offshore oil fields to Halul Island, where oil can be processed for export. Onshore, most oil is sent to Umm Said for refining or export. Qatar has three primary export terminals: Umm Said, Halul Island, and Ras Laffan. Qatar typically exports around 600,000 bbl/d (95,000 m3/d) of crude and about 20,000 bbl/d (3,200 m3/d) of refined petroleum products. Most exports go to Asia, with Japan as the single largest receiver (about 380,000 bbl/d (60,000 m3/d) of crude in 2006). In the international market, the major customers are Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Glencore, Bakri Trading, Vitol, Mitsui and ITOCHU.

Refining is carried out by the National Oil Distribution Company (NODCO), a subsidiary of QP established in 1968. Qatar's first refinery was built in Umm Said in 1953. A second refinery was completed in 1974. By the early 1980s, growth in local consumption was such that Qatar began importing refined products. In 1983, a 50,000 bbl/d (7,900 m3/d) refinery came online at Umm Said. Currently, Umm Said has a refining capacity of 137,000 bbl/d (21,800 m3/d). QP is also building another refinery, which will have the capacity to run 146,000 bbl/d (23,200 m3/d) of condensate. Marketing and commercial aspects for the export of the Refinery Products are entirely controlled by the Qatar Petroleum Marketing Directorate.