{
  "id": 14303961,
  "title": "Stranded Middle East LNG Supply Upends Gas Markets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/stranded-middle-east-lng-supply-upends-gas-markets",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-13T22:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "OilPrice",
    "slug": "oilprice",
    "url": "https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Stranded-Middle-East-LNG-Supply-Upends-Gas-Markets.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Middle East LNG supply has been severely disrupted since the Iran war, choking off shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Only occasional cargoes have managed to pass through the chokepoint, but they are not making much of a difference in the global gas market. Asia and Europe are feeling the impact of the supply squeeze, with spot LNG prices soaring to 2023 highs. European storage levels are at their lowest since 2011, raising concerns ahead of the winter. Policymakers warn that Europe might face gas shortages until the Hormuz crisis is resolved, with prices expected to remain higher than in the past two years. Qatari and UAE LNG exports are far from recovering to pre-war levels, with most LNG carriers still traveling through Hormuz in a cautious manner. Qatari LNG cannot be transported via pipelines, and major repairs are needed at the world's biggest liquefaction complex, which will take three years. This supply fix is proving to be an uphill battle, with LNG flows remaining over 75% below pre-war levels. China's recent $3 billion LNG deal with Qatar has raised questions about the economic feasibility of building redundant facilities for LNG transport. Despite the low storage levels, Europe's gas system is more diversified and flexible, but high prices are still a concern, impacting energy bills and competitiveness.",
  "summary": "The LNG supply out of the Middle East has not recovered in any meaningful way seven and a half months after the Iran war choked oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Since March, some occasional LNG cargoes have managed to squeeze through the chokepoint where a fifth of global liquefied Natural Gas supplies passed before the war. The rare shipments are not making much of a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}