Cyclone Shuts Major Australian LNG Plants, Tightening Global Supply

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Canberra: A powerful cyclone off the coast of Australia has forced shutdowns at several major liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, tightening global energy supplies already strained by the Middle East conflict.

Energy major Chevron confirmed outages at its Gorgon and Wheatstone gas plants, which together account for more than 5% of global LNG supply. Meanwhile, Woodside Energy reported that its Karratha processing plant had also gone offline due to the severe weather.

Australia, one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, plays a critical role in supplying Asian markets already facing disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts warn the timing of the disruption could amplify global energy volatility. Josh Runciman of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said even minor output losses could ripple across international markets, raising concerns about supply reliability.

The outages come as the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel with Iran continues to disrupt oil and gas flows. LNG exports from Qatar have also declined, as security risks deter tanker movement through the region.

While US President Donald Trump recently delayed a deadline related to reopening key shipping routes, easing oil prices slightly, uncertainty remains high as hopes for a ceasefire continue to fade.

The cyclone-related shutdowns add further pressure to an already fragile global energy market, with supply disruptions now spanning both geopolitical tensions and extreme weather events.