Oman's natural gas company, OQ, has officially declared a 'force majeure' regarding its long-term gas supply contract with Petrobangla, a major buyer in Bangladesh. This decision, reported by Reuters, comes in response to supply disruptions from Qatar, which are reportedly being caused by increased tensions due to the ongoing US-Israeli military actions against Iran. As a result, Petrobangla will now receive only one shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per month instead of its normal supply.

The term 'force majeure' is frequently used in international energy contracts to denote an unforeseen event or situation that prevents a party from fulfilling its contractual obligations, such as wars or natural disasters. This legal concept allows companies like OQ to suspend deliveries without facing penalties or lawsuits. The declaration effectively means a significant reduction or halt in gas exports until the situation stabilizes and normal supply can resume.

Previous announcements in the region have also cited similar conditions, highlighting a broader trend in energy supply challenges due to geopolitical conflicts. Recently, Bahrain's Bapco Energies also declared a force majeure following an attack that impacted its operations. This indicates a worrying trend for energy security in the region, where conflicts are likely to further complicate supply chains and impact consumer markets in countries reliant on imported gas such as Bangladesh.