QatarEnergy extends force majeure with Edison
Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar Minister of Energy and CEO of QatarEnergy, speaks at a press conference in Doha on June 22, 2026.
Kerim Cafer | Afp | Getty Images
The supply shortage in one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas signals that market disruptions could last for months.
Edison SpA, the Italian unit of French utility EDF, said QatarEnergy has extended its force majeure notice and halted four additional LNG cargoes planned for Italy’s Adriatic LNG terminal until early September.
Edison said Tuesday that the latest extension brings the total amount of cargo affected during the delivery period from April to early September to 21, or about 2.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
QatarEnergy issued its first force majeure notice in March after Iranian missile attacks damaged two LNG-producing trains at Ras Laffan, the world’s largest LNG export facility. This event reduced production by 12.8 million tonnes per year, or approximately 17% of Qatar’s LNG exports.
Edison said it replaced 14 of 21 cargoes with alternative supply and did not expect the shortage to affect its end customers.
QatarEnergy estimates the damage at Ras Laffan will result in $20 billion a year in lost revenue and will take up to five years to repair. The company did not respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
Edison has a 25-year contract with QatarEnergy, in force since 2009, to supply 6.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually to Italy.
