Iran attack wipes out 17% of Qatar LNG capacity; ‘never in my wildest dreams,’ says QatarEnergy CEO

Iran’s recent attacks on Qatar have caused significant damage to key energy infrastructure, impacting facilities responsible for around 17% of the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said.

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, al-Kaabi said the extent of the damage could take between three and five years to fully repair, raising concerns over prolonged disruptions in global LNG supplies.

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"I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be - Qatar and the region - in such an attack, especially from a brotherly Muslim country in the month of Ramadan, attacking us in this way," he said.

The disruption may also affect Qatar’s ability to meet long-term contractual commitments. The company could be forced to declare force majeure on some LNG supply agreements, potentially impacting deliveries to major buyers including Italy, Belgium, South Korea and China for an extended period.

The developments mark a major escalation in regional tensions and could have far-reaching implications for global energy markets, given Qatar’s position as one of the world’s leading LNG exporters.

Earlier, QatarEnergy said missile strikes on Ras Laffan Industrial City had caused “extensive damage,” shortly after authorities reported a fire in the area following an Iranian attack. The interior ministry said civil defence teams were deployed to contain the blaze, which was later brought under preliminary control. No injuries were reported.

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"Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires," QatarEnergy said in a statement, adding that all personnel were safe and accounted for.

Qatar condemned the strikes, calling them a “direct threat” to national security. The foreign ministry said Iran’s actions reflected an “irresponsible approach” in targeting Qatar and neighbouring countries.

Ras Laffan, about 80 km north of Doha, is a critical energy hub housing major LNG infrastructure and several international companies.

The attack followed evacuation warnings issued by Iran for multiple oil and gas facilities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, including the Ras Laffan refinery, which Iranian state media said could be targeted “in the coming hours.”