{
  "id": 7268214,
  "title": "Oman seeks LNG bypass routes around Hormuz",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/oman-seeks-lng-bypass-routes-around-hormuz",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T06:48:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Arabian Post",
    "slug": "arabian-post",
    "url": "https://thearabianpost.com/oman-seeks-lng-bypass-routes-around-hormuz/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oman is advocating for alternative liquefied natural gas (LNG) export routes that can circumvent the Strait of Hormuz, citing the recent disruptions to the Gulf's primary energy channel. Energy and Minerals Minister Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi made this proposal at the Gastech conference in Bangkok on Monday, emphasizing the need for energy producers and consumers to explore infrastructure capable of transporting LNG to international markets without relying solely on the strait. His remarks come as renewed attacks on regional energy infrastructure and shipping have reignited concerns over the security of Gulf exports. The appeal is particularly significant for gas markets because unlike crude oil, LNG lacks established physical bypass routes around Hormuz. The International Energy Agency reports that in 2025, over 112 billion cubic meters of LNG passed through the strait, accounting for nearly one-fifth of global LNG trade, primarily by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Oman, with LNG export facilities outside the strait at Qalhat, near Sur, has a geographical advantage over producers with liquefaction terminals within the Gulf. However, the minister's call for new bypass routes coincided with a deteriorating regional energy security situation. Oman canceled a planned meeting between Iran and Gulf states to discuss Hormuz shipping arrangements, citing the need for consensus and remaining committed to dialogue for regional stability. The diplomatic setback followed attacks on vessels near Hormuz and a drone strike that led to Saudi Arabia shutting its East-West crude pipeline, the region's most critical oil route around the strait. While Saudi Arabia and the UAE have established pipelines outside Hormuz that provide some rerouting capacity for oil, there is currently no alternative route for LNG, given the constraints and the limited spare capacity. Any large-scale LNG bypass would require substantial investment in infrastructure and years of construction, making it a longer-term resilience strategy rather than an immediate solution to shipping disruptions. Oman is exploring ports on the Arabian Sea, such as Duqm, as potential logistics hubs outside the strait, leveraging its existing LNG exports that already circumvent the strait. Asian governments have also intensified efforts to diversify energy procurement as the conflict disrupted traditional Gulf supply routes and shifted buyers towards cargoes from the United States and other producers.",
  "summary": "Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Oman has called for new liquefied natural gas export routes that can bypass the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the months-long disruption to the Gulf’s main energy artery has exposed a critical weakness in global gas supply chains. Energy and Minerals Minister Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi told the Gastech conference in Bangkok on Monday that producers and consumers needed to…",
  "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."
}