An explosion has occurred at a gas facility in Ras Laffan, Qatar; dozens have been injured
On 21 June, an explosion occurred at a liquefied natural gas processing plant in the Ras Laffan industrial zone in Qatar. Fifty-four people were injured in the incident, whilst a further 18 are still missing.
According to QatarEnergy, the incident occurred during the start-up of production operations in the industrial town of Ras Laffan. The explosion was accompanied by a fire at the Barzan gas distribution facility.
Emergency and rescue services were promptly deployed to deal with the aftermath. The fire was successfully contained and is now under control.
The Qatari Ministry of the Interior stated that the incident was caused by a technical fault. According to preliminary information, no leaks of gas or other substances that could pose a threat to public safety have been detected.
Rescue services are continuing to search for 18 people who are considered missing.
QatarEnergy has not yet specified the exact extent of the damage sustained by the facility following the explosion.
The Barzan gas facility has a capacity of around 40 million cubic metres per day. It supplies piped gas to Qatar’s industrial and energy sectors. The facility also has the capacity to produce ethane, condensate, liquefied petroleum gas and sulphur for the domestic market and for export.
The Ras Laffan industrial zone is located approximately 80 kilometres north-east of Doha. It is one of the largest oil and gas complexes in the world. The complex comprises 14 production lines, several processing plants and a port for LNG exports.
Ras Laffan has previously been targeted amid the US and Israeli conflict with Iran. According to several media outlets, the facility sustained damage in March, leading to a partial halt in production.
The latest incident occurred against the backdrop of another round of talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland, where the parties are discussing the implementation of agreements on a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
