QatarEnergy Extends LNG Force Majeure Amid Continuing Strait of Hormuz Crisis

QatarEnergy Extends LNG Force Majeure Across Asia and Europe

Cancellations Stretch Late into 2026 for Regional Buyers

Suppliers confirmed that QatarEnergy notified buyers in Pakistan that the cancellation of LNG shipments will remain in effect through October 2026. Deliveries bound for Bangladesh face an extension of force majeure terms beyond September of that same year.

Edison Absorbs Dozens of Canceled Adriatic Cargoes

In Europe, Italian utility Edison announced that QatarEnergy canceled five additional shipments earmarked for the Adriatic LNG terminal. This latest adjustment extends Edison’s force majeure period into early November 2026. The cumulative total of canceled cargoes for Edison alone has reached 29 shipments, representing approximately 3.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

Strait of Hormuz Bottleneck Sparks Global Spot Market Scramble

While certain oil tanker routes have resumed using alternative logistical pathways outside the Strait of Hormuz, the movement of LNG carriers through the critical waterway remains severely restricted. This bottleneck has triggered fierce competition between European and Asian buyers scrambling for available spot-market cargoes just as European nations face colder weather and surging heating demand.

Militant Strikes and Heavy Revenue Losses Cripple Production

The operational disruptions originated in March 2026 when QatarEnergy halted LNG production following strikes targeting facilities in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, prompting initial force majeure declarations on supply contracts. Subsequent missile attacks originating from Iran inflicted further structural damage on the Ras Laffan complex, compounding the export logjam caused by the closure and persistent insecurity within the Strait of Hormuz.

Saad Kaabi, chief executive officer of QatarEnergy, stated that the infrastructure damage knocked out roughly 17% of Qatar’s total export capacity, resulting in estimated annual revenue losses of 20 billion dollars. Reuters figures cited by regional reporting indicate that Qatari LNG exports plummeted by about 96% during the first six months of the conflict, dropping from 509 shipments in the corresponding period of the previous year down to just 18 cargoes.

North Field Expansion Underpins Long-Term Recovery

Before the crisis, Qatar exported roughly 81 million tons of LNG annually, accounting for nearly 20% of global supplies with heavy reliance on Asian buyers. The state-owned energy giant has continued advancing its long-term North Field expansion projects, which aim to lift production capacity from 77 million tons per year to 142 million tons by the end of 2030, reinforcing its standing as a foundational global supplier.

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