Iran conflict disrupts supply chains: LNG export giant Qatar turns importer—signs 4-million-ton-per-year LNG long-term deal with the U.S. through 2054

As a top global liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter prior to the Iran conflict, Qatar has, for the first time, assumed the role of buyer—importing LNG from the United States. This marks a rare rupture in global energy trade flows caused by geopolitical tensions. On Thursday, January 22 (U.S. Eastern Time), QatarEnergy—the Qatari state-owned oil and gas company—announced it had reached a long-term agreement with Cheniere Energy, the largest U.S. LNG exporter, to purchase up to 4 million tons of LNG annually for over two decades. According to reports, this is Qatar’s first-ever LNG purchase agreement with the United States. What drove this transaction was a breakdown in Qatar’s domestic supply system. During the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, Ras Laffan Industrial City—the heart of Qatar’s LNG production—suffered damage, forcing QatarEnergy to significantly curtail exports. Compounding this, persistent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have left Qatar struggling to meet contractual delivery commitments to its Asian customers—prompting it to turn to U.S. production capacity to fill its own supply gap. For Cheniere, a super-long-term off-take agreement from a sovereign-grade buyer bolsters both the pricing power and market standing of U.S. LNG. For the global market, the fact that a Middle Eastern exporting nation is now importing LNG signals that supply-chain fragility is shifting from a theoretical risk to an operational reality. First-ever long-term U.S. deal: 2 million tons per year from each of two liquefaction plants QatarEnergy stated it has signed two long-term Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPAs) with Cheniere Energy, for up to 4 million tons of LNG annually. QatarEnergy will procure 2 million tons annually from Cheniere’s two U.S. liquefaction facilities: Sabine Pass in Louisiana and Corpus Christi in Texas—1 million tons per year from each plant. Notably, 1 million tons per year from Sabine Pass is contingent upon the final investment decision for the facility’s expansion phase; however, the overall framework of the agreement has already been finalized. Under the terms, deliveries will be made on a Free-On-Board (FOB) basis, commencing in 2031 and continuing through 2054. QatarEnergy is also a major shareholder in the Golden Pass LNG export project in Texas, USA—a project currently ramping up operations—with ExxonMobil as the other key shareholder. This means Qatar’s role in the U.S. LNG value chain is expanding—from asset owner to active off-taker.

Qatar is set to sign a more favorable long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreement with India

According to foreign media reports on January 19, QatarEnergy is expected to sign a long-term LNG agreement with Indian buyers within weeks—offering lower prices and greater contractual flexibility than existing contracts. India is currently pursuing ambitious targets to increase its natural gas consumption. A source indicated that Indian companies and QatarEnergy have already aligned on key terms; the contract is likely to be signed by the end of this month or early February. The source added that the new agreement—featuring destination-flexible shipments and reduced pricing—will run for at least until 2050, and possibly longer. It will extend the current contract, scheduled to expire in 2028, which supplies Indian buyers with 8.5 million tons per year (tpy) of LNG. Under India’s national energy strategy, the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix is targeted to rise from the current 6.3% to 15% by 2030. Additionally, during the sixth China International Import Expo held last year, Sinopec signed an integrated cooperation agreement with QatarEnergy covering Phase II of the North Field Expansion (NFS) project—including a 27-year LNG long-term sale and purchase agreement and an upstream equity participation arrangement.

QatarEnergy in talks with Venture Global to buy LNG in long term supply deal, sources say

Oct 22, 2026

QatarEnergy is negotiating a long-term deal to purchase at least 3 million metric tons of LNG annually from US supplier Venture Global amid regional shipping disruptions. This potential agreement follows a similar contract signed with Cheniere earlier this year.

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QatarEnergy in talks with Venture Global to buy LNG in long term supply deal, sources say

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