Strikes on Qatar’s North Field and Iran’s South Pars have disrupted the core of the global gas system, taking major processing capacity offline and sending shockwaves through international liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets.
According to new analysis by Wood Mackenzie, the strikes hit a single shared structure that spans around 9,000 square kilometres on the Qatar Arch.
Together, North Field and South Pars hold 25 per cent of the world’s gas resources and supply 10 per cent of global production.
In Qatar, attacks on the Pearl GTL complex in March 2026 and an explosion at the Barzan gas plant in June removed approximately 4.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas-processing capacity.
The outages represent roughly 17 per cent of Qatar’s LNG export capacity and 35 per cent of its domestic gas supply. Repairs are estimated at US$5.8 billion, with recovery timelines stretching up to 12 months.
Across the Persian Gulf, strikes on Iran’s Assaluyeh processing hub and Kangan Phase 13 facilities disrupted supply across a field that powers 80 per cent of Iran’s electricity generation.
Unlike Qatar, Iran lacks LNG export infrastructure and relies heavily on liquid fuels to fill its widening energy gap.
Alexandre Araman, Director of Middle East Upstream at Wood Mackenzie, said the conflict has turned geographical concentration risk into an operational reality across the entire energy value chain.
“Qatar is managing US$5.8 billion in repairs and recovery timelines of up to 12 months while commissioning the largest LNG expansion programme in the world,” Araman said.
“That timing matters because 54 mmtpa of uncontracted Qatari volumes will reach the market by 2035, and buyers are making long-term security decisions right now.”
Qatar exported more than 80 million tonnes of LNG in 2025, with India receiving 11.9 million tonnes, Taiwan 8.2 million tonnes, and Europe accounting for just 11 per cent of total supply.
Beyond natural gas, the disruption impacts global supply chains, as the North Field supplies one-third of world helium demand alongside sulphur, methanol, and ammonia.
