Shell plc has provided an update on its operations in Qatar following recent developments affecting its facilities in the region
At the centre of the update is the Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant, a two-train facility with equal capacity, producing around 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from approximately 1,600 million standard cubic feet per day of feed gas. According to the company, one of the trains sustained damage during an attack on 18 March 2026.
Prior to the incident, the facility had already been operating at reduced levels, with exports constrained due to the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Following the attack, production across the entire Pearl GTL facility has now been halted to allow for a full assessment of the damage.
Shell confirmed that the safety and security of its employees and contractors remain its highest priority, noting that all personnel at the site are safe. The incident occurred in Ras Laffan Industrial City, where a fire broke out within the Pearl GTL complex as a result of the attack. The fire was quickly brought under control, and the facility has since been stabilised.
The company added that it is working closely with QatarEnergy, as well as local authorities, partners and customers, to assess the extent of the damage and understand the broader impact on infrastructure within Ras Laffan.
In a related update, Shell noted that LNG production in Qatar has remained shut down since early March.
Further updates are expected as assessments continue.
