Poland’s Orlen cancels Qatar LNG deal following supply disruptions

Polish state-run energy company Orlen has terminated one of its long-standing LNG supply agreements with QatarEnergy after disruptions linked to the Iran conflict prevented the Qatari producer from fulfilling its contractual commitments, Reuters reported on November 11.

The decision represents the first reported cancellation of a long-term QatarEnergy LNG agreement since the conflict and subsequent closing of the Strait of Hormuz interrupted shipments from Qatar, which was the second biggest exporter of LNG in 2025, trailing only the US.

The cancelled agreement was for 1mn tonnes per year (tpy) of super-chilled fuel and was originally scheduled to continue through 2034. Orlen exercised its termination rights, citing prolonged circumstances beyond the supplier's control. The contract with the Gulf energy firm will remain active for another 60 days after the termination notification.

QatarEnergy invoked force majeure in March following Iranian drone strikes that damaged two liquefaction trains at its Ras Laffan Industrial Complex. Shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for the global LNG market, have further complicated the delivery of LNG cargoes for both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates’ ADNOC.

Before annulling the agreement, Orlen had anticipated that deliveries from Qatar would restart around the middle of November following several months of interruptions.

Despite ending the Qatari arrangement, Orlen maintains that Poland's energy security will remain unaffected. The company points to domestic natural gas production and its diverse portfolio of alternative long-term supply agreements.

Orlen’s other suppliers include Norway’s Equinor and the US. Among US suppliers, Orlen earlier this month began receiving LNG cargo deliveries as a foundational customer of Venture Global's huge Plaquemines LNG terminal in Louisiana.

QatarEnergy has been extremely active over the past month securing LNG supply from Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG), Australia’s Woodside Energy (NYSE: WDS), and is believed to be in advanced talks with NextDecade (NASDAQ: NEXT) to purchase supply from its proposed Train 6 at its Rio Grande LNG terminal.