DOHA (Dunya News) - Qatar has suspended its natural gas exports this week, raising concerns about potential global supply shortages. The halt comes after the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, following tensions involving Iranian, Israeli, and U.S. military actions.
The state-owned energy company in Qatar stopped gas production, and officials say normal output may take at least a month to resume. Experts warn this could disrupt liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies for several weeks in international markets.
Qatar is a major global LNG exporter, supplying roughly 20 percent of the world’s demand, with shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Its largest customers include Pakistan, South Korea, India, Japan, and China.
The force majeure declaration on exports has triggered fears of shortages in these key markets. Analysts note that competition for LNG cargoes has intensified across the Atlantic and Pacific regions, pushing gas prices and freight rates to multi-year highs in Europe and Asia.
This disruption highlights the vulnerability of global energy markets to geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, underscoring the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for international energy supply chains.