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: 15 April 2026 · Appears in 2 active topics
With Ras Laffan impaired for months, where does Europe source LNG after the Russian ban?
Timeline for Ras Laffan Industrial City
Mentioned in: Russian LNG ban lands 25 April, no replacement named
European Energy MarketsMentioned in: EU LNG terminals drew 163kt in three days
European Energy MarketsMentioned in: Final pre-conflict Qatari LNG tanker docks UK
European Energy MarketsUAE absorbs 2,256 drones since February
Drones: Industry & DefenceMentioned in: First LNG tanker crossed Hormuz since February
European Energy Markets- What is Ras Laffan Industrial City?
- Qatar's primary LNG export hub, built from 1996 to exploit the North Field gas reservoir. Operated by QatarEnergy with 14 liquefaction trains and 77 million tonnes annual export capacity, supplying roughly 17-20% 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. The Force majeure remains in force as of April 2026.Source: QatarEnergy
- Is Ras Laffan still shut down?
- Yes as of 15 April 2026. QatarEnergy's CEO said losses will outlast the war; restart is reported to be months away from the time of the strikes.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 17-20% of globally traded LNG. European gas prices surged 45-54% as buyers competed for alternative supply.Source: editorial
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. The facility operates 14 liquefaction trains and exports roughly 77 million tonnes per year, representing approximately 17% of global LNG export capacity.
Ras Laffan Industrial City is Qatar's primary LNG export hub, run by QatarEnergy and supplying roughly 20% of globally traded LNG. In March 2026, Iran halted that output: an initial drone strike forced QatarEnergy to cease all production and declare Force majeure on cargo contracts to buyers in Belgium, Italy, and Poland. 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; Qatar expelled Iranian military attachés within 24 hours.
The Force majeure remains in force as of 15 April 2026. QatarEnergy's CEO confirmed losses that will outlast the war; the restart is reported to be months away. The timing compounds the EU's supply position: the Russian LNG short-term contract ban enters force on 25 April, removing a further 17 bcm/year (approximately 13% of EU LNG imports) with no named replacement, precisely when Ras Laffan cannot provide the flexible volumes European buyers historically called upon. European gas prices surged 45-54% following the initial strikes, exposing how concentration of supply at one site converts a single military decision into a global energy shock.
