Within less than 12 hours, Iranian missiles struck Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar twice, causing severe damage to this critical energy hub in the Gulf nation. However, the impact is expected to extend far beyond the Middle East.
Operated by QatarEnergy, Ras Laffan Industrial City is widely regarded as one of the world’s most important liquefied natural gas (LNG) hubs, integrating transportation, processing, and port facilities. Qatar accounts for approximately 20% of global LNG exports, making it the world’s second-largest exporter after the United States. Nearly all of Qatar’s natural gas exports are shipped through Ras Laffan.
Since early March, LNG and other production activities at the site have been suspended due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. The severe damage to production facilities is likely to further delay the resumption of operations.
South Asian nations, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, are expected to bear the initial brunt of the disruption. These countries rely on Qatar for more than half of their LNG supplies and have limited storage capacity. However, Ras Laffan also supplies other parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa, which will similarly face supply shortages.
In addition to LNG, Ras Laffan produces fertilizers such as urea and ammonia—essential inputs for agriculture—as well as sulfur and helium. The latter is a critical gas used in semiconductor manufacturing. According to QatarEnergy data, the hub supplies about 25% of the world’s helium output.
Ras Laffan Industrial City is located on the northeastern tip of the Qatari peninsula, approximately 80 kilometers from Doha. It processes natural gas from a massive offshore gas reservoir in the Persian Gulf, which is shared by Qatar and Iran. Qatar refers to the field as the North Field, while Iran calls it South Pars.
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