Qatar sees changing energy policy and leadership

A new emir and shifting global gas fundamentals mean things are likely to be different at the mighty QP

The Middle East’s most dynamic national oil company (NOC) of the past two decades is facing seismic changes to its operations, reflecting both a shift in Qatar’s broader energy strategy and the emirate’s change of ruler. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, 33, succeeded his father, Sheikh Hamad, as emir, with the handover effective from the end of June. Following Tamim’s removal of the powerful prime minister Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani (HBJ), the two dominant figures responsible for Qatar’s remarkable transformation into a regional superpower have retired form public life. In the immediate term, there is unlikely to be any substantial change to the Gulf state’s energy infrastructure. Tamim is co