Qatar LNG Loadings Recover to 2.7 Million Tonnes
October shipments remain well below February levels as Strait of Hormuz tanker transits partially rebound from the US-Iran conflict.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Oil and Gas
Qatar's LNG loadings reached 2.7 million tonnes in October, down from 6.2 million tonnes in February before the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict. Tanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz have recovered to more than 30% of pre-war levels.
Why it matters
The gap between February and October shows how far Qatar's gas export capacity remains from its pre-conflict level, with consequences for global LNG supply. Partial restarts at Ras Laffan also bear on helium supply, aByproduct of gas processing.
Qatar's October LNG loadings of 2.7 million tonnes were about 39% of February's daily export rate, against 6.2 million tonnes shipped before the conflict. Hormuz LNG tanker transits have recovered to more than 30% of pre-war levels, while the timing of a full recovery remains unclear.
The players
Air Products
Air Products is a major industrial gas company with significant helium supply operations worldwide.
Eduardo Menezes
Eduardo Menezes is the chief executive of Air Products, which has investor-facing guidance on helium market conditions.
The details
Qatar's Helium 2 facility at Ras Laffan partially restarted in June and has an annual capacity of about 6,300 tonnes, representing more than half of the country's installed helium capacity. Helium 1 accounts for more than a quarter, while the Barzan gas plant remains offline. Industry estimates suggest helium output could theoretically recover to 40% to 50% of pre-war capacity, though repositioning containers for refilling could take two to three months.
Timeline
February 2026: Qatar LNG loadings reached 6.2 million tonnes before the US-Iran conflict.
June 2026: The Helium 2 facility at Ras Laffan partially restarted.
October 2026: Qatar LNG loadings reached 2.7 million tonnes.
Market Landscape
Qatar's February LNG export baseline of 6.2 million tonnes is the reference against which October's 2.7 million tonnes is measured. The shortfall shows how a single chokepoint disruption can cut a major exporter's output for months, reshaping competitive dynamics among LNG suppliers.
Slower LNG and helium recovery could keep energy and industrial gas costs elevated for buyers who depend on Qatari supply. Industrial users of helium may face constrained availability for several months.
The takeaway
Supply from Qatar is recovering only partially, and the speed of that recovery will shape both LNG and helium markets. Watch shipment data and Ras Laffan restart news for signs of how quickly volumes return.
Further reading
Track broader supply developments in our Oil and Gas coverage.
