QatarEnergy halts LNG production after strikes on energy sites

Following military attacks on operating facilities, QatarEnergy announced it would cease LNG production.

QatarEnergy has ceased production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated products following military attacks on its facilities.

In a statement posted on X, QatarEnergy said the shutdown was a direct response to the attacks, which it said targeted its operating facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City in the State of Qatar.

“Due to military attacks on QatarEnergy’s operating facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City in the State of Qatar, QatarEnergy has ceased production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated products,” the statement of QatarEnergy reads.

“QatarEnergy values its relationships with all of its stakeholders and will continue to communicate the latest available information.”

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran on February 28. The White House justified the attack by citing missile and nuclear threats from Iran. At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump said in an 8-minute video posted on his Truth Social that the U.S. has begun “major combat operations in Iran.”

He claimed Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. and appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government.”

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s single most critical energy chokepoint. As of March 1, Kpler vessel tracking shows limited traffic continuing – primarily Iranian and Chinese-flagged ships – but commercial operators, major oil companies, and insurers have effectively withdrawn from the corridor. Insurance premiums had already reached six-year highs ahead of the strikes.

Analysts say completely blocking the Strait would hurt Iran too since all of its million barrels per day passes through the Strait.