An explosion at a liquefied natural gas processing facility in Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone has killed at least 13 people and injured 66 others, according to Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi.
The blast occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility, a critical node in the country’s export infrastructure.
Minister al-Kaabi characterized the incident as an accident, explicitly ruling out sabotage or hostile action, though the full operational impact remains under assessment.
Global LNG markets reacted swiftly to the news, with spot prices climbing sharply as traders priced in the risk of immediate supply disruption.
Qatar, the world’s largest LNG exporter, accounts for a significant share of global seaborne trade, and any interruption at Ras Laffan sends immediate shockwaves through Asian and European gas hubs.
The repricing reflects acute sensitivity to supply shocks in a market already navigating tight seasonal demand and geopolitical uncertainties.