QatarEnergy Delays LNG Exports Until Late 2026 Amid Hormuz Closure

QatarEnergy's LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) export delays are continuing into late 2026, affecting clients in Italy and Asia. The company has extended force majeure notices due to disruptions caused by the US-Iran conflict. Edison, one of QatarEnergy's biggest customers in Europe, will not receive LNG cargoes until December.

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, limiting Qatar's exports. Qatar is among the biggest economic casualties of the Iran conflict, with its LNG exports slashed by 96% since last year. Neighboring Persian Gulf exporters have managed to ship oil secretly out of the Strait, but Qatar has exported only 18 LNG cargoes until August.

Asian clients, including Bangladesh and Pakistan, will also be affected as force majeure notices are extended until November. The winter heating season is starting, and competition for limited global supply will keep gas prices elevated. Italy is confident it will meet the EU's target for its gas buffer, but several countries are rushing to fill their storage tanks.

Edison holds a long-term contract with QatarEnergy for 6.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. The company has replaced some cargoes with US suppliers and has canceled six further LNG shipments from QatarEnergy, taking the total undelivered shipments to 35.