Qatar Energy Chief Says He Warned U.S. Officials About Iran Attack Risks

Qatar's energy minister reveals he repeatedly cautioned American officials and energy executives about potential Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy facilities. The warning proved prescient as recent Iranian attacks have severely damaged Qatar's massive natural gas operations, disrupting global energy supplies for years to come.

Qatar’s top energy official disclosed that he had repeatedly cautioned U.S. government leaders and American oil executives about the risks of Iranian retaliation against energy infrastructure in the Gulf region.

Saad al-Kaabi, who serves as both QatarEnergy’s chief executive and the nation’s energy minister, revealed his concerns proved justified after Iranian strikes severely damaged his country’s crucial natural gas facilities.

“I was always warning, talking to executives from oil and gas that are partnered with us, talking to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, to warn him of that consequence and that that could be detrimental to us,” al-Kaabi stated in an interview.

Among QatarEnergy’s American partners are industry giants ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips.

Daily Warnings About Energy Facility Threats

“They were aware of the threat, and they were always reminded by me, almost on a daily basis, that we need to make sure that there is restraint on oil and gas facilities,” the energy chief explained.

The Department of Energy directed inquiries to the White House regarding al-Kaabi’s claims.

White House representative Taylor Rogers responded: “President Trump and his entire energy team were not ignorant of the reality that there would be short-term disruptions to oil and gas supply during the ongoing operations in Iran, and planned for these highly anticipated, temporary disruptions.”

While ExxonMobil refused to provide a statement, ConocoPhillips acknowledged the situation: “We remain fully committed to our longstanding partnership and will continue to work with QatarEnergy on a path to recovery.”

The current U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran have entered their third week, with missile and drone strikes hitting tankers, refineries, and critical energy infrastructure throughout the region. Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility, recognized as the globe’s largest liquefied natural gas complex, has suffered the most significant documented damage.

Al-Kaabi informed reporters Thursday that the destruction to the $26 billion facility would disrupt LNG shipments to European and Asian markets for as long as five years.

International leaders have long dreaded such circumstances, where installations essential to global supplies of crude oil, natural gas, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas for heating and cooking face extended damage periods.

No Advance Notice of Strike

Wednesday saw Israel launch an assault on Iran’s primary South Pars gas field, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. Iran retaliated with strikes against energy infrastructure across Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex.

Al-Kaabi confirmed he received no advance notification about the South Pars attack.

“I was not aware of anything, but I don’t think anybody was aware. President Trump said he didn’t know. So do you think we would know?”

The South Pars field represents part of the world’s most extensive gas reserve, shared between Iran and Qatar, where Qatar refers to its portion as the North Field.

The QatarEnergy leader indicated the company has not yet determined whether insurance policies will cover losses from the conflict.

Extensive Infrastructure Damage

Al-Kaabi explained that the Ras Laffan attack eliminated 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capability, with effects lasting up to five years due to the specific equipment destroyed.

“The cold boxes are gone,” he noted, describing the cooling systems damaged on two of the facility’s 14 processing trains that purify and chill gas for liquid transport.

“This is the main unit, that is the cooling box of the LNG, it is completely destroyed.”

Major Expansion Project Now Postponed

Following the evacuation of personnel after earlier Iranian attacks this month, expansion work at Ras Laffan will face delays, affecting gas deliveries scheduled for France, Germany, and China starting in 2027.

“It wasn’t easy to pull everybody from offshore, you know, 10,000 people evacuated in 24 hours, and shut down all the operations,” al-Kaabi recalled.

“I’m so glad we have zero injuries, zero fatalities. It is because of that decision we took.”

The expansion project was designed to strengthen Doha’s position as the world’s leading LNG exporter, increasing Qatar’s processing capacity from 77 million to 126 million tons annually by 2027.

“No work is happening on the North Field expansion. There are no workers there. It’s definitely delayed,” al-Kaabi confirmed.

“I think it will be delayed for months, if not a year or more.”

Production at QatarEnergy can only resume after hostilities cease, and even then would require three to four months to return to full loading capacity, according to al-Kaabi.

Regional Economic Consequences

Al-Kaabi, who also chairs Qatar Airways, warned that the conflict’s impact would spread across all Gulf economies.

“This has taken the whole region back 10-20 years.”

“Tourism is out. Your airlines are not flying …Your trade is down. There is nothing moving from any of the ports.”

“You have economies that have zero income from oil and gas, and we are predominantly an oil and gas economy. So obviously, the spending from the governments is going to be at a much, much lower rate.”

Personal Impact Hard to Express

Al-Kaabi built his career at QatarEnergy after joining the state company in the mid-1980s while pursuing studies at Pennsylvania State University.

Recognized for maintaining composure during challenging periods, he advanced through company positions to become CEO of the then-named Qatar Petroleum in 2014.

When asked about his feelings regarding the attacks on his company and nation, al-Kaabi struggled to respond.

“How I feel is difficult to describe,” he said, pausing before continuing to the next question.