QatarEnergy is set to rapidly increase its liquefied natural gas (LNG) output after the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route, reopens. The company plans to restore production at its Ras Laffan complex to approximately 50% of its capacity within one month of the strait's reopening and reach about 80% within two months. Full restoration of the remaining capacity, however, is anticipated to take several years.
The Ras Laffan complex, which accounted for nearly a fifth of global LNG supply last year, has been largely offline since March 2026 due to damage sustained from Iranian missile strikes during the effective closure of Hormuz. These attacks, part of a US-Israeli war with Iran, resulted in an estimated loss of $20 billion and knocked out 17% of QatarEnergy's liquefaction capacity. Since April, QatarEnergy has been actively testing and repairing equipment, with some production lines operating at reduced capacity to supply neighboring countries.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz follows a 60-day ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, which aims to bring an end to the Mideast conflict that began on February 28. A resumption of Qatar's LNG exports is expected to alleviate global LNG shortages and potentially reduce high energy prices in Europe and Asia. However, the clearance of mines in the strait might cause some delays in transit, and some analysts remain cautious about the rapid ramp-up of exports and the sustained safety of the route. Qatar's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi previously estimated that it would take a minimum of two to three months for normal LNG exports to be established even after the strait is fully open.
