QatarEnergy has extended the suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to Italian utility Edison until early November, further disrupting supplies to one of its biggest European customers.
The Qatari gas producer notified Edison of the extension on Thursday, with five LNG cargoes scheduled between the end of September and early November now expected to be cancelled.
The latest cancellations will take the total number of LNG cargoes halted since April to 29, after QatarEnergy declared force majeure over supply disruptions linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Edison, a unit of French energy group EDF, disclosed the latest cancellations in a message posted on Italy’s GME gas market platform.
The Italian utility has a long-term agreement with QatarEnergy to receive about 6.4 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, equivalent to roughly 10% of Italy’s total gas consumption.
The contract, which began in 2009, runs for 25 years and makes QatarEnergy an important supplier to the Italian market.
Edison said it would continue monitoring the situation and provide further updates as more information becomes available.
The extended suspension highlights the continuing impact of geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the Middle East on LNG supplies to Europe.
For Italy, prolonged interruptions could increase the need to secure replacement gas from other suppliers and markets.
The latest development comes as European energy markets continue to closely monitor disruptions to regional gas flows and their potential impact on supply security.