--- title: "Qatar's LNG expansion plan postponed to 2027, adding more uncertainty to global gas supply" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/278378544.md" description: "QatarEnergy has postponed the commissioning date of the North Field East expansion project to 2027 due to the shutdown of the Ras Laffan plant caused by Iranian drone attacks. This project has an annual production capacity of 32 million tons and is an important component of global LNG supply. The shutdown has delayed market expectations for an oversupply of LNG, leading to a reassessment of the global supply-demand balance. The Qatari Minister of Energy stated that the project may be delayed but did not provide a specific timeline" datetime: "2026-03-09T11:05:42.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/278378544.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278378544.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/278378544.md) --- > Supported Languages: [简体中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/278378544.md) | [繁體中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/278378544.md) # Qatar's LNG expansion plan postponed to 2027, adding more uncertainty to global gas supply The drone attack in Iran has triggered an unprecedented complete shutdown of the Ras Laffan plant in Qatar, hindering the supply expansion process of one of the world's largest LNG (liquefied natural gas) producing countries. According to Bloomberg, QatarEnergy has postponed the production start date of the North Field East project to at least after 2027. The shutdown stems from a drone attack on the Ras Laffan industrial facility last week, forcing Qatar to suspend some production activities. Bloomberg cited informed sources stating that if the shutdown lasts no more than a month, the North Field East project is planned to achieve its first exports early next year. However, with the escalating war situation in the Persian Gulf region, if the shutdown period is extended, production will be further delayed. The project is designed to have an annual production capacity of 32 million tons and is a key component of the global LNG supply surge in this decade. Its delayed production means that the previously expected oversupply of LNG in the market will be postponed accordingly, and the global supply-demand balance will face reassessment. ## **Impact of Shutdown: Unprecedented Operational Disruption** Ras Laffan is the core hub for Qatar's LNG production. The drone attack last week forced the facility to close, marking the first time in Qatar's LNG operational history. The specific duration of the shutdown remains unclear. This is not the first time the North Field East project has encountered schedule adjustments. According to Bloomberg, QatarEnergy had already postponed the production start date of the project to the end of this year back in February, but did not disclose specific reasons at that time. Generally, large energy projects often experience delays as they approach the production phase to allow time to address engineering and technical issues. Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi stated in an interview with the Financial Times last week that there is a possibility of delays in the expansion project, but did not provide specific timelines. Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market carries risks, and investment should be approached with caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account the specific investment goals, financial situation, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article align with their specific circumstances. Investment based on this is at one's own risk ### Related Stocks - [Range Global LNG Ecosystem ETF (LNGZ.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/LNGZ.US.md) - [United States Natural Gas (UNG.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UNG.US.md) - [Global X U.S. Natural Gas ETF (LNGX.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/LNGX.US.md) - [First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FCG.US.md) - [ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas (BOIL.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BOIL.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [IEA expects huge amount of LNG to reach market in next 5 years, chief says](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278078151.md) - [Bangladesh rations fuel as Middle East conflict spur panic buying](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278110149.md) - [US natural gas futures fall over 4% as market stabilizes following prior gains](https://longbridge.com/en/news/277826785.md) - [Israel resumes natural gas exports to Egypt on limited basis, Israeli energy ministry says](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278407838.md) - [Front Month Nymex Natural Gas Fell 4.49% to Settle at $2.9170 — Data Talk](https://longbridge.com/en/news/277828227.md)