Chennai: Natural gas supplies to parts of India may face disruptions after Petronet LNG issued force majeure notices to several of its off-takers following supply interruptions from Qatar amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
Petronet LNG, one of the largest importers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from QatarEnergy, informed stock exchanges that it has declared force majeure on certain LNG cargoes after vessels were unable to safely reach the Ras Laffan loading terminal in Qatar.
The company said the disruption was linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the instability affecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical shipping route for global energy supplies.
Petronet LNG stated that its LNG carriers Disha, Raahi, and Aseem were unable to proceed with scheduled cargo movements due to the prevailing security situation. Following this development, the company issued corresponding force majeure notices to its buyers including GAIL (India) Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) under existing gas supply agreements.
India imports a substantial portion of its LNG from Qatar through long-term contracts, making the disruption significant for the country’s energy supply chain.
Industry observers say that if cargo deliveries remain suspended for a prolonged period, natural gas supply to certain industrial consumers and city gas distribution companies could decline by as much as 40 percent.
Analysts note that India remains particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly half of the country’s crude oil and LNG imports transit. While India maintains strategic petroleum reserves for crude oil, there are currently no comparable large-scale reserves for natural gas.
Energy market experts warn that if tensions in the region continue, gas supplies could be rationed in the near term while importers explore alternative sourcing options.
Petronet LNG stated that the situation remains fluid and the company is closely monitoring developments before assessing the full impact on supply and operations.
