Risks to passage through the Strait of Hormuz have brought Qatar's LNG shipments to an almost complete halt, while Doha is discussing long-term purchase agreements with US suppliers.
The talks cover LNG that could be supplied by operating US export projects and those still under construction. Potential agreements are seen as the first sign since the start of the war that Qatar is seeking to shift its LNG portfolio beyond the Middle East and create alternative supplies for its customers.
Strait of Hormuz risks halt Qatar's shipments
Qatar previously supplied about one-fifth of global LNG. However, risks to gas tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz have brought the country's LNG shipments to an almost complete halt.
State-owned QatarEnergy did not respond to questions about potential supply options from the United States.
Repairs at Ras Laffan could take three to five years
Before the conflict began, Qatar was advancing plans to nearly double production at the Ras Laffan LNG export complex by 2030. Described as the world's largest LNG facility, the complex was damaged in an attack carried out by Iran during the first weeks of the war.
Repairs at the facility could take three to five years to complete. Uncertainty over when the war will end is driving Qatar to strengthen its LNG trading activities and seek supplies from outside the Gulf.
Qatar's existing access to US LNG
Qatar already has access to a certain amount of US LNG through its stake in the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas. The terminal began exporting in April and is gradually increasing production.
QatarEnergy's trading arm, QatarEnergy Trading, has also expanded its capacity to market and ship LNG produced in the United States. These activities have been conducted mainly through short-term transactions.
