Qatar's Gas Exports Disrupted by Hormuz Closure

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exposed the European Union to a new energy crisis. The instability of the region has disrupted the supply of oil and gas from traditional suppliers, particularly Qatar, which has emerged as a reliable partner for the EU since Russia's energy output became unpredictable.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely affected the global energy market, leading to market volatility, high prices, and competition among major economies. The EU's reliance on oil and gas imports remains largely unchanged, despite efforts to shift away from pipeline gas imports toward seaborne Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports.

The Hormuz Strait is a critical global energy chokepoint, with 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and oil products passing through it. The EU's dependence on Qatari gas appears relatively low at 6 percent in 2026, but individual member states such as Italy are more reliant on Qatari LNG than any other European country.