Arabic version: قطر للطاقة توقف إنتاج الغاز الطبيعي المسال بعد الهجمات الإيرانية بالطائرات المسيرة

QatarEnergy, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer, has halted its LNG production due to military attacks on its facilities. The decision comes after Iranian drone strikes targeted sites in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City, leading to a significant surge in gas prices in Europe. According to Al Jazeera, natural gas prices soared by almost 50% following the announcement.

The Qatari Defence Ministry reported that two drones launched from Iran struck the nation, targeting a water tank at a power plant and an energy facility belonging to QatarEnergy. Fortunately, no human casualties were reported. The ministry stated that damages from the attacks would be evaluated by relevant authorities, with further updates to follow.

In a related incident, Saudi Arabia announced a temporary shutdown of certain units at the Ras Tanura oil refinery after drones attempted to attack the facility. The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed that a small fire broke out but reported no casualties, indicating that the refinery sustained limited damage.

These events occur against a backdrop of rising global oil prices and maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for oil shipping. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the stability of energy supplies in the region, affecting global markets significantly. The US and several Middle Eastern nations condemned the Iranian attacks, affirming their right to defend themselves against such aggression.