카타르 'LNG 생산 거점' 폭발...전 세계 공급망 충격 우려 / YTN

Qatar Government: "Explosion During Start-up... Technical Accident" "18 Missing at Explosion Site... At Least 54 Injured" Ras Laffan Complex Suspended Operations in Early March, Immediately After the Outbreak of War [Anchor] A massive explosion has occurred at Qatar's "LNG production hub," which accounts for 20% of the world's supply, resulting in significant casualties. The accident appears to have occurred while preparations were underway to restart operations following the peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, raising concerns that it could once again shock the global energy supply chain. Reporter Yoo Tu-kwon reports. [Reporter] A massive explosion has occurred at Ras Laffan in Qatar, the world's largest LNG production complex. Huge flames and columns of smoke were witnessed from tens of kilometers away. The Qatari government confirmed that the explosion and fire occurred "while operations were starting," without disclosing the detailed circumstances. It is reported that dozens of people are missing or injured as a result of this accident. The Ras Laffan complex serves as a production hub where gas extracted from nearby offshore gas fields is liquefied and exported immediately, accounting for 20% of the global supply. However, production was suspended in early March, shortly after the outbreak of the Middle East war, citing Iranian drone attacks. Subsequently, in mid-March, the facility suffered severe damage as Iran launched missiles in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on the gas field. In response, the state-owned Qatar Energy declared "force majeure," stating that it was unable to fulfill existing contracts. It also stated that it could take up to five years to fully repair the damage. [World Bank President Ajay Banga / Last April: Ras Laffan, which accounts for a significant portion of Qatar's gas production, is estimated to have suffered damage to 17% of its production capacity. It is said that recovery will take three to five years.] 90% of the LNG produced at Ras Laffan is exported to Asia, including India, South Korea, and Japan. Concerns are growing that a massive explosion occurring just as preparations for restarting operations could deal a major blow to global supply chains. This is Yoo Tu-kwon from YTN. Video Editing: Han Kyung-hee Design: Ji Kyung-yoon YTN Yoo Tu-kwon ([email protected]) ※ 'Your tip becomes news' [KakaoTalk] Search for YTN and add the channel [Phone] 02-398-8585 [Email] [email protected] ▶ Original Article: https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0104_202606... ▶ Send a Tip: https://mj.ytn.co.kr/mj/mj_write.php ▣ Subscribe to YTN YouTube Channel: http://goo.gl/Ytb5SZ ⓒ YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use of AI data are prohibited.