Ras Laffan Industrial City
World's largest LNG export facility in Qatar with 14 trains and 77 million tonnes annual capacity. Struck by Iranian drones on 1 March and ballistic missiles on 18 March 2026; force majeure declared, diplomatic channels with Tehran severed.
Last refreshed: 29 March 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
If one drone strike can halt 15% of global LNG trade, who was prepared?
Latest on Ras Laffan Industrial City
- What is Ras Laffan Industrial City?
- Qatar's primary LNG export hub, built from 1996 on the northeastern coast to exploit the North Field gas reservoir. Operated by QatarEnergy with 14 liquefaction trains and an annual export capacity of 77 million tonnes, supplying roughly 20% of globally traded LNG.
- Was Ras Laffan attacked by Iran?
- Yes. Iranian drone strikes in March 2026 forced QatarEnergy to halt all production and declare Force majeure. A subsequent Ballistic missile strike caused extensive damage and fires. The IRGC named the refinery among five Gulf energy facilities designated as legitimate targets.Source: QatarEnergy
- Why did European gas prices spike in March 2026?
- Iranian strikes on Ras Laffan forced QatarEnergy to halt all LNG production, removing roughly 20% of globally traded LNG from the market. European gas prices surged 45-54% and Asian LNG spot prices rose 39% as buyers competed for alternative supply.
Background
Built from 1996 on Qatar's northeastern coast to exploit the North Field, the world's largest single gas reservoir shared with Iran's South Pars field, Ras Laffan became the operational centre of Qatar's LNG export economy. Long-term supply contracts link it to buyers across Asia, Europe, and South Korea.
Ras Laffan Industrial City is Qatar's primary LNG export hub, operating 14 liquefaction trains run by QatarEnergy and supplying roughly 20% of globally traded LNG. In March 2026, Iran halted that output entirely: an initial drone strike forced QatarEnergy to cease all production and declare force majeure. The IRGC subsequently named the refinery among five Gulf energy facilities designated as legitimate targets.
A second Iranian Ballistic missile strike caused extensive damage and fires at the facility. European gas prices surged 45-54% following the strikes, exposing how concentration of supply at one site converts a single military decision into a global energy shock. Qatar expelled Iranian military attachés within 24 hours.
