QatarEnergy buys LNG from the U.S. / Contract follows Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz

QatarEnergy signed a long-term agreement on Thursday with U.S. producer Cheniere Energy to purchase four million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually through 2054. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the 2030s, and the price will be calculated based on the gas price at the U.S. Henry Hub, plus a fixed fee.

The contract follows Iran’s attacks on Qatar’s energy infrastructure and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, which drastically reduced the emirate’s exports. Before the war, Qatar was the world’s second-largest LNG exporter, after the United States.

In March, the bombing of the Ras Laffan complex damaged two production lines and eliminated approximately 17% of the country’s export capacity. Repairs are expected to take around three years, according to Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi. Qatar has invoked the force majeure clause on a monthly basis, while LNG vessels are encountering difficulties crossing the Strait of Hormuz, the main export route.

The agreement with Cheniere allows QatarEnergy to purchase gas from other regions and honor its commitments to international customers. The company is also negotiating the purchase of another three million tonnes annually from Venture Global.

The transaction strengthens the United States’ position in the global LNG market and reflects the reconfiguration of energy trade caused by the conflict.