Doha, June 24 (SANA) Qatar expects liquefied natural gas (LNG) production to return to normal within weeks, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Wednesday, as the country prepares to restart operations disrupted by regional tensions.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Al Thani said restoring stability in the Strait of Hormuz would be critical to the resumption of full operations and called for direct communication between the United States and Iran to help ease tensions and facilitate the reopening of the strategic waterway.
He said QatarEnergy was preparing to resume normal production once conditions improve, but cautioned that the company would maintain its force majeure status until it is satisfied that all operational and security concerns have been addressed.
QatarEnergy suspended LNG production on March 2 following attacks on its facilities in the industrial cities of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, citing security concerns and disruptions to operations.
Qatar is one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas, and any prolonged disruption to its production has implications for global energy markets and supply chains.
The remarks come amid cautious optimism following the signing of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing tensions and improving maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
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