Pearl GTL plant down after Iranian attack

Shell plc has temporarily halted production at its Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility in Qatar following a major attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City. The Pearl GTL facility, one of the largest of its kind globally, was forced to shut down after sustaining damage during aerial attacks leading to a fire on one of its processing trains. While the fire was quickly contained and no injuries were reported, production was suspended to assess the extent of the damage. The site has the capacity to process up to 1.6 bcf/d of gas into 140,000 bbl/d of liquid fuels.

In a later statement, Shell said that Unit 1 of the plant sustained no damage and continues to operate normally, but Unit 2 will require approximately one year for complete repairs, following a more complete technical assessment.

The attack on Ras Laffan is part of a wider escalation affecting multiple Gulf energy assets. Iranian strikes have reportedly damaged facilities across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. Notably, Qatar’s LNG production has already been offline since early March, compounding concerns over global gas supply. The disruption at Pearl GTL further tightens energy markets already strained by logistical challenges, including blockages in the Strait of Hormuz.