QatarEnergy declared force majeure after an Iranian missile targeted an energy facility in Ras Laffan, prompting a halt in liquified natural gas production.

QatarEnergy has officially declared force majeure on liquified natural gas [LNG] shipments to its affected buyers following a previous announcement to cease production of LNG and downstream products.

“QatarEnergy values its relationships with all of its stakeholders and will continue to communicate the latest available information,” an official statement said.

QatarEnergy halted LNG production in response to Iranian attacks which targeted its operational complexes in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, two of Qatar’s most critical industrial hubs for energy production and export. 

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that Iranian drones targeted a water tank in Mesaieed and a QatarEnergy facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City on Monday. No casualties were reported.

The state-owned energy company announced on Tuesday that it would stop the production of some downstream products in Qatar including urea, polymers, methanol, aluminum and other products.

In the wake of QatarEnergy’s production halt, four companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange [QSE] announced plans to reduce or suspend parts of their operations.

Messaied Petrochemical Holding Company announced on QSE that its subsidiaries will cease production of certain products.

Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company, which owns a 50 percent stake in Qatalum, said the joint venture intends to carry out a phased and orderly shutdown of operations following QatarEnergy’s announcement.

The phased shutdown of the Qatalum smelter started on Wednesday and is projected to finish by the end of March, according to a statement from the joint venture’s part-owner Hydro.

Hydro also declared force majeure to its Qatalum buyers.

Gulf International Services said its subsidiaries will suspend selected energy-related operations and services, while Industries Qatar announced plans to halt or scale back output of some products.

The firms said further details would be disclosed as more information becomes available.