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Qatar, September 22, 2026 – Qatar’s ambitious liquefied natural gas (LNG) expansion project, once slated to begin in 2026, will now start operations in the first half of 2027, according to Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al Kaabi.
The delay underscores the mounting challenges facing the Gulf state as regional tensions and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz weigh heavily on its energy sector.
The expansion, centered on the North Field East and North Field South projects, is designed to cement Qatar’s position as the world’s leading LNG exporter.
The first phase, North Field East, is now expected to come online in early 2027, while the second phase, North Field South, is scheduled for 2028.
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Together, they represent one of the largest LNG developments globally, aimed at boosting capacity by nearly 50 percent.
Yet the timeline has been disrupted by geopolitical turmoil.
The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy flows, has severely restricted Qatar’s export routes.
Attacks earlier this year damaged 17 percent of the Ras Laffan LNG plant, forcing operations to scale back drastically.
Al Kaabi noted that partial production could resume “within weeks” once Hormuz reopens, but the uncertainty has already rattled global markets.
The impact is stark. LNG exports from Qatar have shrunk to minimal volumes, driving spot prices in Asia and Europe to their highest levels since 2022.
The International Monetary Fund projects Qatar’s economy will contract by 8 percent in 2026 due to lost gas revenue, a rare setback for a nation that has long relied on energy exports to fuel growth.
Despite the turbulence, Al Kaabi dismissed suggestions that Hormuz could be bypassed or rendered obsolete.
He emphasized that Qatar has no plans to construct alternative pipelines, insisting the strait remains vital for global energy security.
Instead, the country is pivoting toward a broader trading strategy, leveraging assets such as the Golden Pass facility in Texas to expand its reach beyond the Gulf.
This shift signals a potential transformation in Qatar’s role from dominant producer to global LNG broker.
The strategy could help cushion the blow of regional instability while reinforcing its influence in international energy markets.
Still, the delays carry global consequences.
Europe and Asia, already grappling with volatile energy costs, face tighter supply conditions until at least 2028.
The disruption highlights the fragility of energy security when geopolitical conflicts intersect with critical trade routes.
For Qatar, the 2027 start up of its LNG expansion is both a milestone and a reminder of vulnerability.
The nation’s ability to navigate geopolitical risks while advancing its energy ambitions will shape not only its own future but also the trajectory of global LNG markets.
