Shell Declares Force Majeure After Qatar Halts LNG Production Post-Drone Strikes

• Shell, world's largest LNG trader, declared force majeure on Qatari cargoes after QatarEnergy halted production.
• Qatar's LNG production stopped due to drone strikes at Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City.
• Other major buyers like TotalEnergies and Asian companies also received force majeure notices, impacting global supply.
• The halt affects 20% of global LNG exports, pushing Asian and European gas markets higher and diverting cargoes.
• Shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz has broadly stopped, impacting oil, gas, and fertilizer trade.