QatarEnergy Seeks Long-Term US LNG Deals Amid Capacity Shortfall

QatarEnergy is seeking long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) deals in the US to replace lost capacity after Iranian attacks damaged its Ras Laffan facility. The company is negotiating with Venture Global, Cheniere, and Woodside for contracts through 2031, according to three trading and industry sources.

The damaged trains will sideline 12.8 million tons per year of LNG capacity for three to five years, said QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi in March. The company has halted production since then and renewed force majeure notices monthly, most recently extending them to November.

QatarEnergy Trading is seeking 2-3 million metric tons per annum through to 2031, one of the sources said. U.S. projects under construction have a total of 25 million metric tons of LNG available for purchase, according to data compiled by research firm Rapidan Energy.