An explosion tore through Qatar's key natural gas export terminal at Ras Laffan on Sunday night as workers attempted to resume operations after a previous Iranian bombardment during the ongoing war. The blast and subsequent fire killed at least 13 people and injured 66 others, according to Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi.
Nationalities of Victims and Cause of Blast
Speaking at a news conference in Doha on Monday afternoon, Al-Kaabi confirmed that the deceased were from India and Pakistan. The 66 injured included Qatari nationals and individuals from various African and Asian countries. The minister emphasized that the explosion was an accident, stating, "I would like to emphasize that this was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature."
Impact on Global Energy Markets
The blast at the Ras Laffan industrial area, home to the world's largest liquefied natural gas hub, could cause further disruption in global energy markets. Qatar remains one of the top natural gas producers globally. The country had previously shut down production after Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz prevented shipments to clients. As negotiations for a permanent end to the war continue, Iran has loosened its control, allowing Qatar to begin restarting operations.
Details of the Barzan Gas Supply Facility
The explosion and fire occurred at the Barzan gas supply facility, state-run QatarEnergy reported. The Barzan plant had a capacity of nearly 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of sales gas per day, which Qatar used primarily for local electricity generation and to power crucial water desalination plants in the desert Arabian Peninsula. Qatar owns almost the entire plant, with a small share held by ExxonMobil, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Previous Iranian Attack on Ras Laffan
In March, an Iranian missile struck Ras Laffan, sparking a fire that caused "extensive" damage before being extinguished. Qatar had already halted production due to Iranian attacks. Qatar shares its massive offshore natural gas field in the Arabian Gulf with Iran, a resource that has made the country wealthy. This wealth has allowed Qatar to raise its global profile through hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, establishing the Al Jazeera news network, and funding its role as an international mediator, including the talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States.
