FILE PHOTO: QatarEnergy’s gas plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar | Photo Credit: Reuters

Qatar said an incident during the startup of the Ras Laffan industrial complex resulted in a blast that has injured dozens.

An explosion and fire hit the Barzan local gas supply facility on Sunday, according to operator QatarEnergy. Qatar’s interior ministry said in an online post that 54 people were injured in the blast, and 18 are missing. 

The Barzan gas plant feeds domestic industries and power generation, and it is unclear if liquefied natural gas output will be affected. Qatar, the second-biggest LNG exporter before the war, halted production of the super-chilled fuel early in the conflict between the US and Iran after attacks on its vast facilities and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Persian Gulf nation is seeking to restart Ras Laffan, the world’s biggest LNG export plant, which is being closely monitored by the market as its fast resumption would ease global prices. US-Iran tensions saw Dutch natural gas prices — an international benchmark — rise early on Monday. 

Qatar is seeking to resume 80% of production at Ras Laffan within two months of Hormuz safely opening.

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Published on June 22, 2026