Qatar Turns to US LNG as War Disrupts Export Capacity

QatarEnergy has turned to US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a stopgap measure after Iran's missile strikes damaged two of its LNG trains at Ras Laffan, removing about 17% of export capacity. The state-owned energy company has bought 33 spot LNG cargoes from the US this year, worth around $1 billion.

The purchases are aimed at protecting QatarEnergy's reputation as a reliable supplier and have been made possible because US LNG can bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which remains a war zone. This reversal is significant, with QatarEnergy delivering more than 80 million metric tons of LNG in 2025.

CEO Saad al-Kaabi has said repairs to the damaged trains will take three to five years and force majeure on some long-term contracts for up to five years. The war's impact on QatarEnergy is expected to result in annual revenue losses of about $20 billion, affecting countries such as China, South Korea, Italy, and Belgium.