The world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant sustained damage during the ongoing skirmishes. The Ras Laffan Industrial City, which accounts for about a fifth of global supply before production was halted earlier this month, was hit by an Iranian missile after four others were intercepted, authorities said late Wednesday. Hours later, Abu Dhabi shut its Habshan gas facilities after they were hit by falling debris from an intercepted strike.
A subsequent attack on Ras Laffan early on Thursday led to a fire, which Qatari authorities said they were dealing with.
Crude and natural gas prices surged earlier in the day after Israel attacked Iran’s giant South Pars gas field.
Qatar “considers this aggression a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of the state’s sovereignty, as well as a direct threat to its national security and the stability of the region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a social media post.
Ras Laffan Industrial City covers 295 square kilometres (114 square miles), about one-third the size of New York City. In addition to LNG processing, it’s also home to other gas-related facilities, including a gas-to-liquids plant, LNG storage, condensate splitters, and an oil refinery.
