Qatar Prepares to Restart LNG Exports Amid Signs of Progress on Strait Safety

Qatar is preparing to restart its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports after declaring force majeure following Iranian strikes on the Ras Laffan complex in early March. According to Bloomberg, six empty LNG tankers with links to Iran are currently en route to Qatar, with another tanker recently crossing the Strait of Hormuz and heading for the Qatari coast.

QatarEnergy had successfully sent an LNG cargo via the Strait of Hormuz at the end of July, three weeks after one of its LNG carriers was struck in the waterway. However, this has not marked the resumption of LNG flows out of Qatar, the world's third-largest exporter.

State firm QatarEnergy told its customers in June that it could restore about 50% of its production capacity within a month after safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is restored. Within two months, Qatar could return 80% of its capacity.