QatarEnergy Delays LNG Shipments to Italy and Asia
QatarEnergy extended a force majeure on LNG deliveries to Asia and Europe through November and December following production halts and maritime disruptions.
State-owned QatarEnergy has extended a force majeure on liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to Asia and Europe, delaying deliveries to most buyers through the end of November. The Italian utility Edison reported its specific delivery extension lasts until early December. Shipments to Edison have been suspended since April, with the company reporting that QatarEnergy canceled an additional six cargoes, bringing the total undelivered shipments to 35.
The disruptions stem from production halts at the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed facilities caused by Iranian strikes, alongside ongoing blockages in the Strait of Hormuz amid a protracted U.S.-Israel-Iran war. These factors have crippled Qatari exports, which dropped by 96% compared to the previous year. Exported cargoes fell from 509 in the same period last year to just 18 through the end of August, resulting in an estimated $24 billion loss in sales.
To mitigate the shortage before the European winter, Edison has replaced 23 cargoes primarily through U.S. suppliers. The disruption affects a long-term contract established in 2009 for 6.4 billion cubic metres of gas annually, a volume that represents approximately 10% of Italy's total gas consumption.
