QatarEnergy, a cornerstone of global liquefied natural gas supply, has declared force majeure on several long-term contracts, canceling obligations to customers in Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China. The move could impact as many as 90 cargoes through May, exacerbating an already strained market where 20% of worldwide LNG flows are disrupted by the Hormuz Strait blockade.
The decision follows severe damage to Qatar’s energy infrastructure amid the escalating United States-Israeli war on Iran. An Iranian attack on the Ras Laffan gas facility obliterated 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity, sidelining 12.8 million tonnes of production annually. CEO Saad al-Kaabi estimates repairs will take three to five years and cost Qatar $20 billion in lost yearly revenue, with two of its 14 LNG trains and a gas-to-liquids facility rendered inoperable.
Geopolitical tensions lie at the heart of the crisis. The Iranian strike on Ras Laffan came in retaliation for an Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars gasfield, the world’s largest, off the coast of Bushehr province. Qatar’s North Field, an extension of South Pars, has drawn condemnation from Doha, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari decrying Israel’s actions as a violation of international law. Qatar and other Gulf nations have also criticized Iran’s broader strikes on regional energy assets.
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Neighboring petroleum companies in Kuwait and Bahrain have similarly invoked force majeure clauses, citing unforeseen disruptions. The cascading effect threatens energy security for Europe and Asia, heavily reliant on Qatari LNG to meet demand.
The prolonged downtime at Ras Laffan casts a long shadow over global markets. With repairs stretching into late 2029 or beyond, analysts anticipate sustained pressure on LNG prices as buyers scramble for alternative sources. Qatar’s annual export loss of 12.8 million tonnes represents a critical gap that could reshape trade flows for years.
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