Qatar Establishes Petrol Station Monitoring Committee with Fines up to Two Million Riyals

Qatar issued Law No. 16 of 2026, establishing a committee to monitor petrol stations operating within QatarEnergy, according to a report by The Peninsula newspaper.

The law was published in the Official Gazette on October 25, 2026. The committee handles licensing files, permitted activities, safety distances, and station emergency preparedness.

The law punishes anyone who continues operation after a final closure decision with imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to two million Qatari riyals.

The law grants existing operators a six-month grace period to settle their status in accordance with the new provisions.

What do these terms mean?

Petrol Station Monitoring Committee: A body established by the state to monitor stations' compliance with licensing rules, safety, and permitted activities.

Official Gazette: The publication in which laws and government decisions are published, becoming effective only after being published in it.

Licensing: Official approval granted by the competent authority to practice a specific activity, which can be revoked upon violation.

Emergency Preparedness: The station's readiness to handle incidents such as fires or leaks, including equipment and response plans.