Qatari Giant Seeks US LNG Deals Amid Ongoing Facility Damage

QatarEnergy is seeking multi-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) deals in the United States through to 2031, according to three trading and industry sources. This comes after Iranian attacks damaged two of its 14 LNG trains and a gas-to-liquids facility at the Ras Laffan facility in March.

The damaged capacity will sideline 12.8 million tons per year of LNG for three to five years, with QatarEnergy having already halted production in March. The company has renewed force majeure notices monthly, most recently extending them to November, and further extensions are possible as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Discussions are underway with several producers, including Venture Global, Cheniere, and Woodside, two of the sources said. This marks a shift from QatarEnergy's previous purchases of dozens of US spot LNG cargoes to meet commitments to its Asian clients.