A sudden disruption in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, has triggered immediate concerns across Asian energy markets, particularly for import-dependent economies such as Bangladesh. The disruption is caused by attacks on major energy infrastructures in Qatar and wider instability in the Middle East, raising the risk of long-term supply shortages and price fluctuations. Energy production and exports have also been disrupted in other Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, showing the wider regional impact on energy supply.
Qatar’s state-owned energy company QatarEnergy announced on 2 March 2026 that it had suspended LNG production and related operations, “Due to military attacks on QatarEnergy’s operating facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City in the State of Qatar, QatarEnergy has ceased production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated products.” The following day, the company also suspended output of several downstream products, including urea, polymers, methanol, and aluminum.
Following the halt, the company declared force majeure on LNG supplies, indicating that shipments to international buyers could be disrupted for several weeks. Ras Laffan, the world’s largest LNG export hub, accounts for roughly 18% of global LNG supply, meaning disruptions there can quickly affect global markets.
Alex Froley, senior LNG analyst at ICIS, said, “When ships stopped crossing the Strait of Hormuz, Qatar had to halt production, or its storage tanks would fill up. Declaring force majeure is the next logical step, as Qatar cannot supply its customers for reasons beyond its control.” Froley added that shutting down the 77-million-tonnes-per-year LNG plant at Ras Laffan could take several days. Restarting it would take at least a week or more. As a result, global LNG supplies may be disrupted for several weeks.
Simultaneously, combat in the Middle East has created further uncertainty around key energy shipping routes and regional security. This instability is especially concerning for Asian countries heavily dependent on Qatari LNG, among them Bangladesh, China, India, Taiwan, Pakistan, and South Korea, which rank among Qatar’s largest buyers. Approximately 80%–85% of LNG exported from the Middle East is shipped to Asia, with Bangladesh, China and India particularly reliant on Qatari supply.
As a result, the recent blockade has pushed these countries to seek alternative cargoes on the spot market, showing early signs of trade adjustments. Drewry Maritime Research lead analyst for LNG shipping, Pratiksha Negi, said that if the disruption continues, ‘India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan could import more US LNG, while the share of Russian LNG to China and other South Asian countries could rise,’ indicating a potential realignment of Asia’s LNG import patterns.
Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to these disruptions in Qatari LNG supplies along with supplies from UAE and Saudi Arabia due to its high dependence on imported fuel. Bangladesh imports a significant share of its LNG under long-term government-to-government agreements with Qatar. In fiscal year 2024–25, Petrobangla imported 40 LNG cargoes from Qatar, representing about 42% of the country’s total LNG imports. If the suspension continues for several weeks, Bangladesh may face serious supply constraints.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to purchase LNG from the spot market to ensure energy security. Following the directive, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division initiated plans to import at least four LNG cargoes during March, with Petrobangla already inviting tenders for two cargoes.
Bangladesh usually requires around seven LNG cargoes per month to meet domestic demand. While Oman has confirmed the delivery of two cargoes under long-term contracts and pledged two additional shipments, the government is seeking extra spot purchases to prevent supply shortages.
Currently, Bangladesh supplies 2,600–2,900 million cubic feet of gas per day to its domestic consumers, including about 900–980 mmcfd from imported LNG. To sustain this demand, the country imports 110–115 LNG cargoes annually, sourced through a mix of long-term contracts with Qatar and Oman and spot market purchases.
The government has also directed Bangladesh Bank to ensure the availability of foreign currency for emergency fuel imports and has begun exploring alternative sources of refined fuel from Malaysia, China, and Saudi Arabia, while coordinating with India and Saudi Aramco to maintain stable fuel supplies. However, spot LNG prices tend to rise during supply shortages, increasing the financial burden on import-dependent economies like Bnagladesh’s.
While Bangladesh is looking for alternative LNG supplies, Pakistan has already sought support from Saudi Arabia during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, to secure its energy supply chain. Pakistan’s petroleum minister Ali Pervaiz Malik formally requested Saudi assistance in establishing an alternative oil supply route through the Red Sea port of Yanbu after disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi Ambassador reportedly assured Islamabad of their support in this situation.
The crisis shows the structural vulnerability of South Asian energy systems, which rely heavily on Middle Eastern hydrocarbons transported through critical maritime points such as the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the most important energy corridors in the world. The situation demands the urgent need for diversification of energy suppliers, expansion of long-term contracts, and investment in domestic and renewable energy sources to reduce exposure to geopolitical crisis.
Verification Note: The information in this report has been compiled from multiple credible sources and cross-checked for consistency. Data and reports have been used to corroborate events where possible. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, access limitations may prevent independent verification of all details.
Afiya Ibnath Ayshi is a Security and Strategic Reporting Fellow at Bangladesh Defence Journal. She covers defence, foreign affairs, and humanitarian issues, focusing on how regional and global developments influence Bangladesh’s security and diplomacy. A graduate in English from the University of Dhaka, she brings a research-based and balanced approach to her work.