Qatar has shut down gas liquefaction operations at its main export facility in Ras Laffan, with a full return to normal production expected to take at least a month, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
The suspension affects the conversion of natural gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the Ras Laffan industrial complex, the heart of the country’s export operations.
State-owned QatarEnergy declared force majeure on exports earlier this week after halting production, according to the sources. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The shutdown comes amid heightened regional tensions that have disrupted energy flows and shipping routes across the Gulf, raising concerns about supply stability.
Once the Ras Laffan plant is fully offline, it is expected to take at least two weeks before liquefaction units can begin restarting, initial estimates show.
Even after operations resume, ramping up to full production capacity will require an additional two weeks, the sources said.
Qatar is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, and prolonged disruptions could tighten global supply, particularly in key markets in Asia and Europe.
The halt underscores the vulnerability of global energy markets to geopolitical shocks in the Middle East.
Traders and importers are closely monitoring developments, as any extended outage could push up spot LNG prices in the coming weeks.