Qatar has issued a stark warning that escalating conflict in the Gulf region could disrupt energy exports from one of the world’s most critical hydrocarbon corridors, potentially triggering severe consequences for global oil and gas markets. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Chief Executive of QatarEnergy, cautioned that if military tensions intensify and maritime security deteriorates, energy shipments from Gulf producers could face serious interruptions within weeks. The warning comes at a time when the region supplies a substantial portion of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), making any disruption a matter of immediate global concern. The Gulf region, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, functions as a strategic artery for global energy flows. According to international energy market estimates, roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum liquids and around one-fifth of global LNG trade pass through this narrow maritime corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. Qatar alone is responsible for approximately 77 million tonnes of LNG exports annually, accounting for nearly 20% of global LNG supply, while neighbouring producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq collectively export millions of barrels of crude oil every day through the same route. Strategic Importance of Gulf Energy Routes The Gulf region has long served as the backbone of global energy supply chains, with several of the world’s largest oil and gas producers located along its coastline. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar collectively export …