DOHA: Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has announced that the Gulf state will resume normal liquefied natural gas (LNG) production within a few weeks, signalling a potential easing of disruptions caused by regional conflict .
Sheikh al-Thani told the Financial Times that full operations would soon be restored at facilities unaffected by the suspension. QatarEnergy had halted LNG production following a drone attack on its massive Ras Laffan plant, which occurred after the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran on February 28 .
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments—has been impacted by the ongoing conflict.
Partial Recovery, Lingering Damage
While the prime minister expressed optimism about a swift return to normal production, significant challenges remain. Iranian missile strikes in mid-March damaged two of Qatar’s 14 liquefaction trains at Ras Laffan, Train 4 and Train 6, removing approximately 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity . QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al Kaabi has stated that repairs to these facilities are expected to take three to five years .
The remaining 12 trains are structurally intact. QatarEnergy has indicated it could restore around 50% of capacity within one month of safe passage being restored through the strait and roughly 80% within two months . Qatar’s pre-conflict capacity stood at 77 million tonnes annually .
Hotline with US and Iran ‘Essential’
The Qatari premier stressed the importance of establishing a direct communication channel between Washington and Tehran to facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Such a hotline, he argued, is crucial for de-escalating the situation and restoring safe passage for maritime traffic in the vital waterway .
The return of Qatari LNG is expected to help stabilise global energy supplies, which have faced significant volatility since the suspension. Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, plays a pivotal role in meeting demand across Asia and Europe. However, shippers are awaiting reassurance on safety to cross the strait, including the clearing of mines, which could delay a return to normal shipping traffic by weeks
