Qatar stops LNG output after drone attacks

Spanish Market: Natural gas
02/03/26

Qatar's state-owned QatarEnergy (QE) has halted production of LNG and associated products following drone attacks on operating facilities in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Industrial City, the company said today.

QE said this is a precautionary measure and it would provide updates as more information becomes available.

A sustained outage at Ras Laffan would have significant implications for global gas markets. Qatar is one of the world's largest LNG exporters, supplying key term volumes to buyers in Asia-Pacific and Europe. Any prolonged disruption could tighten prompt supply availability, particularly if vessel movements through the strait of Hormuz remain constrained.

Shiptracking data from Vortexa show three LNG carriers were berthed at Ras Laffan earlier today. Qatar has continued LNG loadings since the onset of the regional conflict on 28 February, although no LNG carriers have transited the strait of Hormuz since then.

It is unclear what specific asset was hit in Ras Laffan. The industrial complex hosts Qatar's 77mn t/yr LNG export terminal, the world's largest. QE also operates LPG, ethane, sulphur and NGL production units at the site.

Qatar's defence ministry today said drones launched from Iran targeted "an energy facility" in the Ras Laffan Industrial City and a water tank at a power plant in Mesaieed. No casualties were reported, according to the ministry.

By Bachar Halabi

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02/03/26

Qatar stops LNG output after drone attacks: Update

Adds details on Shell's Pearl GTL plant in final paragraph Dubai, 2 March (Argus) — Qatar's state-owned QatarEnergy (QE) has halted production of LNG and associated products following drone attacks on operating facilities in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Industrial City, the company said today. QE said this is a precautionary measure and it would provide updates as more information becomes available. A sustained outage at Ras Laffan would have significant implications for global gas markets. Qatar is one of the world's largest LNG exporters, supplying key term volumes to buyers in Asia-Pacific and Europe. Any prolonged disruption could tighten prompt supply availability, particularly if vessel movements through the strait of Hormuz remain constrained. Shiptracking data from Vortexa show three LNG carriers were berthed at Ras Laffan earlier today. Qatar has continued LNG loadings since the onset of the regional conflict on 28 February, although no LNG carriers have transited the strait of Hormuz since then. It is unclear what specific asset was hit in Ras Laffan. The industrial complex hosts Qatar's 77mn t/yr LNG export terminal, the world's largest. QE also operates LPG, ethane, sulphur and NGL production units at the site. Qatar's defence ministry today said drones launched from Iran targeted "an energy facility" in the Ras Laffan Industrial City and a water tank at a power plant in Mesaieed. No casualties were reported, according to the ministry. It is unclear what effect if any the attacks and shutdown have had on Shell's 1.1mn t/yr Pearl gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant at Ras Laffan. The plant, developed in partnership with QE, is dependent on natural gas as a feedstock for its Group III base oils output. By Bachar Halabi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US-Iran conflict: Latest news

02/03/26

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Iraq’s Shaikan shut amid widening Iran conflict

02/03/26

Iraq’s Shaikan shut amid widening Iran conflict

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Iran rejects US talks as conflict widens

02/03/26

Iran rejects US talks as conflict widens

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India's LNG tankers divert away from strait of Hormuz

02/03/26

India's LNG tankers divert away from strait of Hormuz

Mumbai, 2 March (Argus) — India's LNG imports from the Middle East are set to come under pressure, given that escalating tensions around the strait of Hormuz has resulted in some tankers diverting their course, satellite images from market analytics firm Vortexa show. Only one out of Indian state-run Petronet's three captive LNG tankers, mainly plying between India and the Middle East, has managed to unload LNG at its 17.5mn t/yr Dahej terminal. The 138,000m³ Disha , carrying 60,000t of LNG, is currently waiting around Ras Laffan LNG terminal after loading. The vessel has been kept on hold for now, sources told Argus . Another carrier, the 138,000m³ Raahi , has unloaded a similar volume at the Dahej terminal on 1 March. Meanwhile, the 155,000m³ Aseem has rerouted away from the strait of Hormuz while it was back on its way to Ras Laffan after unloading LNG at Dahej on 24 February, Vortexa data show. The evolving situation is likely to leave Dahej with 2-3 days of LNG supply, traders in India said. But wider impact could be limited for now as supplies from Africa and Australia remained uninterrupted. Additionally, Oman's 11.4mn t/yr Qalhat terminal may provide some relief as it avoids the narrowest, most restricted part of the strait of Hormuz, making it a strategic export point, traders said. But the availability of LNG carriers could remain tight given that several shipping firms have suspended or rerouted LNG tankers, which may still result in tighter LNG supply in the country. The strait of Hormuz handles about a fifth of globally traded oil and a major share of LNG exports from Qatar and the UAE. Any sustained threat to tankers near Omani, Emirati or Iranian waters would raise insurance premiums, extend voyage times and reduce available cargoes as shipowners reassess risk. Meanwhile, two out of Indian state-controlled gas distributor Gail's four LNG time charters are on course to India, traveling across the Atlantic basin. The other two are en route to Europe to unload cargoes. Indian importers will likely hold off on any intentions to purchase spot LNG this week, an importer said. But spot demand could resurface as early as next week if tensions do not escalate further, he added. Furthermore, the Holi festival, which typically takes place over 3-4 March, could also limit any additional spot demand from the country, particularly if the festival gets extended. Half of India's monthly imports of LNG originate from the Middle East, standing at close to 2mn t, Kpler data show. India's LNG imports were down by 27pc on the month at 1.89mn t in February, Kpler data show. Indian LNG importers expect the disruption to raise landed prices at west India's Dahej to over $12/mn Btu. Argus -assessed prices for deliveries to west and east India for second-half March last stood at $10.26/mn Btu and $10.36/mn Btu, respectively, on 27 February, higher by 5¢/mn Btu from the previous session. By Rituparna Ghosh Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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