Timeline
March 2, 2026 — March 9, 2026
World
Timeline: How the Qatar LNG Crisis Unfolded Over 7 Days
Following drone attacks linked to the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict, Qatar shut down the world's largest LNG export facility, triggering a global energy crisis. This timeline tracks the attack, immediate market reactions, and cascading supply disruptions affecting countries from Europe to India, erasing forecasted energy surpluses for 2026.
12 events · 7 days · 30 source articles
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura Refinery Halted After Drone Strike
Saudi Aramco shut down operations at its largest Ras Tanura refinery following a drone strike attributed to Iran. Videos showed flames and smoke billowing from the facility. Saudi defense officials reported intercepting two drones, with debris causing a fire at one of the world's largest oil facilities.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Iran War Escalates: Multiple Gulf Facilities Hit, Kuwait Shoots Down US Jets
As the conflict expanded, Kuwait's air defenses mistakenly shot down three US F-15E Strike Eagles during combat operations. Iranian attacks targeted multiple facilities across the Gulf region. US President Trump warned that the 'big wave' of strikes on Iran had not yet come, while casualties in Iran reached 555 according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Qatar Shuts World's Largest LNG Plant After Iranian Drone Attack
QatarEnergy announced the complete halt of LNG production at its Ras Laffan facility, the world's largest LNG export plant, after Iranian drone strikes hit facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City. The shutdown affected approximately 20% of global LNG supply. European gas prices immediately surged more than 50%, the largest spike since the 2022 energy crisis.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Global Energy Markets React: Gas, Oil, and Coal Prices Surge
US natural gas futures jumped 7.4% in sympathy with global prices. Oil prices spiked sharply amid disruption and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears over global supply. The energy shock rippled across multiple fuel markets as traders scrambled to assess supply chain impacts.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Moderate
Coal Prices Jump as Power Sector Seeks Alternatives
Power-station coal prices jumped the most in three years as the unprecedented Qatar LNG shutdown increased fuel-switching needs in the electricity sector. Utilities worldwide began seeking alternative energy sources to compensate for lost gas supplies.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Major
European Gas Prices Continue Rising as Qatar LNG Exports Remain Halted
European natural gas prices rose an additional 20-40% amid ongoing uncertainty over how long Qatar's exports would remain suspended. By day two of the shutdown, prices had reached three-year highs, with the Financial Times reporting the supply threat exceeded that of the Ukraine war.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Major
India and Europe Face Acute Supply Crunch
Indian companies began reducing natural gas supplies to industries as top importer Petronet LNG informed state-owned GAIL and other companies about lower supplies. European gas prices jumped more than 30% since the war began. India and Europe, as major LNG importers, bore the brunt of the supply disruption.
Wed, Mar 4, 2026
Moderate
Asian Countries Brace for Higher Energy Costs
Gas-reliant Singapore faced the prospect of higher power bills if Qatar's shutdown proved lengthy. Indian fertilizer manufacturers began cutting output as Qatari LNG supplies, a key feedstock for urea production, were suspended. The crisis threatened agricultural production in addition to power generation.
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Moderate
Indian Companies Invoke Force Majeure on Gas Contracts
Several Indian companies, including Gujarat Gas and Petronet LNG, restricted domestic natural gas supply and invoked force majeure clauses due to the escalating Middle East conflict. The fertilizer sector, critical for agriculture, was particularly affected by the supply restrictions.
Fri, Mar 6, 2026
Moderate
Qatar Begins Leasing LNG Tankers as Facility Remains Shut
With its massive export facility still shut, Qatar offered at least two LNG tankers it controls for lease. Satellite analysis revealed that Qatar's main LNG equipment remained largely intact, suggesting the drone strikes had missed key production equipment, raising questions about when operations could resume.
Sun, Mar 8, 2026
Major
Kuwait Declares Force Majeure, Cuts Oil Output as Crisis Deepens
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation declared force majeure and began cutting crude oil production and refining throughput, adding to earlier reductions from Iraq and Qatar. The Strait of Hormuz remained blocked for the eighth consecutive day, affecting 20% of global oil and LNG supply. Analysts predicted UAE and Saudi Arabia would soon face similar cuts as oil storage capacity filled.
Mon, Mar 9, 2026
Major
Morgan Stanley: Qatar Outage Erases 2026 Supply Surplus
Investment bank Morgan Stanley reported that the Qatar LNG production halt would likely eliminate most of the global gas supply surplus that had been forecast for 2026. The assessment confirmed that the shutdown had fundamentally altered global energy market dynamics for the year.
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