QatarEnergy declares force majeure on LNG as Hormuz transit stops
QatarEnergy declared force majeure on March 4, 2026, which excuses it from its LNG delivery obligations and pushed Asian buyers into the spot market. Kpler data cited by the EIA showed no laden LNG vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz between March 1 and April 24. Europe and Asia had to compete for non-Qatari cargoes for the rest of the spring.
- Force majeure declared March 4, 2026
- No laden LNG vessels crossed Hormuz from March 1 to April 24 (Kpler via EIA)
- Asian buyers pushed into the spot market
NG around the story · hourly24 h reaction ▲ 0.24%
Moves this explains
CL+4.70%Mar 4 · WTI rose 4.7% to $79.48 and Brent 2.62%, as the Strait of Hormuz disruption tightened supply. QatarEnergy's force majeure on LNG and the halt to Hormuz transit were the closest reported events.CL+12.89%Mar 5 · WTI jumped 12.89% to $89.72, and Brent rose 7.45%, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted. World Oil reported WTI above $90 for the first time since 2023 that day; the S&P 500 fell 1.79% in the same session.QQQ−1.60%Mar 5 · QQQ fell 1.60% and the S&P 500 fell 1.79% after a US jobs report showing a 92,000 drop in February payrolls. The same day crude jumped (WTI +12.89%, Brent +7.45%), extending the oil shock from the Strait of Hormuz disruption, which hit energy and rate-sensitive growth stocks alike (MU -5.95%, INTC -5.44%, HOOD -5.07%).Source
U.S. Energy Information AdministrationMar 4, 2026