Qatar expects LNG production to normalize within weeks

Qatar expects to resume normal liquefied natural gas production within weeks as diplomatic efforts progress to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, the country's prime minister said on Wednesday. The announcement signals a potential easing of a severe disruption to global energy supplies that began with the outbreak of war in February.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani stated that state-owned QatarEnergy is preparing to restart operations from undamaged sections of its massive Ras Laffan export facility. "Within a few weeks, production will come back to normal, except the damaged facility," he said. The company had suspended LNG production and declared force majeure on contracts after military action involving the United States and Israel against Iran commenced on February 28, following a drone attack on Ras Laffan.

Subsequent Iranian missile strikes in March severely damaged parts of the complex, affecting roughly 17 percent of Qatar's LNG production capacity. Repairs to those units could take years. Despite this, the prime minister indicated that teams have been mobilized for weeks and tankers are being prepared for a restart contingent on...