Qatar halts LNG ramp-up at Ras Laffan after tanker attack in Strait of Hormuz

QatarEnergy has suspended its plan to quickly increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) output at the Ras Laffan complex following an attack on the Qatari LNG tanker Al Rekayyat in the Strait of Hormuz. CEO Saad Al‑Kaabi ordered operations to run at a minimal level for safety and reduced the number of ships docking at the plant.

The attack, part of a series of incidents near the strategic waterway amid heightened regional tensions and recent U.S. strikes on Iran, revived concerns about the safety of tanker transits. Qatar, which supplied roughly one‑fifth of global LNG last year, warned that the pause could further tighten the worldwide gas market. Asian spot LNG prices are already more than 80% above pre‑war levels, and European prices recently rose above €50 per megawatt‑hour.

Before the incident, Qatar had been preparing to restore most of its Ras Laffan capacity within two months, with some production trains already operating at reduced output. However, earlier drone and missile attacks caused damage that may take up to three years to repair, prompting the firm to adopt a cautious approach until the security situation improves.