Qatar Halts LNG Deliveries Until October Amid Middle East Conflict

QatarEnergy has informed customers that LNG deliveries will not resume until at least October. The decision comes as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait is a critical waterway for global LNG trade, with around a fifth of the world's LNG passing through it. However, due to the conflict and damage caused by an Iranian attack on Ras Laffan, the world's largest LNG facility in March, deliveries have been suspended.

QatarEnergy initially invoked force majeure until the end of September, but has now extended this period through October and potentially into early November. The company cited difficulties in shipping LNG due to the risks associated with state-owned vessels navigating the strait.

The reduction in Qatari supply has had a significant impact on global LNG prices, which have nearly doubled since the start of the US-Israeli conflict against Iran at the end of February. This has resulted in slower-than-usual filling of European winter reserves this summer.