LNG supply risks threaten Europe’s energy security amid QatarEnergy force majeure
Polish oil and gas company Orlen has received a force majeure notice from QatarEnergy concerning liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries scheduled for April and early May, signaling a potential cancellation of these shipments. This raises serious concerns over Europe’s energy stability in the coming months.
Qatar is one of the world’s top three LNG exporters, delivering over 80 million tonnes annually—almost 20% of global supply. The planned shutdown of wells at the North Field could cause significant long-term damage to production facilities, adversely impacting global LNG supplies for years. Discussions about contract cancellations are underway; prolonged disruptions may push Asian buyers, traditionally reliant on Qatari LNG, to seek alternative suppliers.
This development highlights the high risk of a full-scale gas crisis, which could drive energy prices up and trigger strategic shifts in international gas markets.
