How it unfolded
In recent weeks, the energy landscape has shifted dramatically, particularly for India, which relies heavily on liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar. This dependency is underscored by the fact that Qatar is responsible for approximately 40% of India’s LNG imports. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when Iranian attacks targeted Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub, causing significant damage and sidelining 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for an estimated three to five years.
The attacks have not only disrupted LNG supplies but have also rendered the Strait of Hormuz nearly impassable. This critical waterway is vital for energy transit, affecting 40% to 50% of India’s crude imports. As a result, India finds itself in a precarious position, with its energy security hanging in the balance. The situation escalated further when Brent crude prices surged by more than 10%, briefly exceeding $119 per barrel, reflecting the global market’s reaction to the instability.
QatarEnergy’s CEO, Saad al-Kaabi, expressed disbelief at the extent of the damage, stating, “never in my wildest dreams” did he foresee such a disruption. The implications of this crisis extend beyond immediate supply concerns; European gas prices surged by 35% following the news of the outage, highlighting the interconnectedness of global energy markets.
India’s vulnerability is further exacerbated by its reliance on imports, with 85% to 90% of its oil coming from abroad. The top five sources of crude petroleum for India—Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the USA—account for around 83% of its imports in the fiscal year 2025. The recent attacks have raised alarms about the security of these supply routes, prompting Indian officials to seek alternative sources for LNG and LPG to mitigate the impact of the disruption.
As India grapples with these challenges, domestic production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has seen a notable increase of about 36%, indicating a proactive approach to bolster energy security. However, the majority of India’s LPG imports—90%—transit through the Strait of Hormuz, making them equally susceptible to the ongoing turmoil.
Officials have voiced concerns about the long-term ramifications of the attacks. Randhir Jaiswal, an Indian representative, emphasized the need to avoid targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, in the region. Meanwhile, Sujata Sharma, an energy analyst, noted, “We are trying to pick up the cargoes from other sources,” indicating India’s urgency to secure alternative energy supplies.
Experts warn that if the disruption through the Strait of Hormuz persists, Indian buyers may be forced to procure higher-priced spot cargoes or potentially reduce consumption. This scenario could have far-reaching consequences not only for India but also for global energy markets, as countries scramble to adapt to the new reality of supply constraints.
As the situation continues to evolve, the focus remains on the repairs to Ras Laffan, which are expected to take three to five years to complete. The damage inflicted by the attacks has created a multi-year supply loss in the LNG market, leaving many stakeholders anxious about the future. Details remain unconfirmed, but the urgency for India to diversify its energy sources has never been more apparent.
