The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that global liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets are expected to remain tight until 2027 due to disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East. Since early March, shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have removed nearly 20% of global LNG supply from the market, resulting in significant price increases across Asia and Europe. Prices briefly reached their highest levels since January 2023, prompting a reduction in demand from key importing regions. This follows a period of easing during the winter of 2025-26, when stronger LNG supplies, particularly from North America, helped stabilize prices. However, in March, global LNG production fell by 8% year-on-year, primarily due to declines in exports from Qatar and the UAE. The IEA warns that damage to liquefaction infrastructure in Qatar could delay new global LNG supply by at least two years, leading to a cumulative shortfall of approximately 120 billion cubic meters (bcm) between 2026 and 2030. The agency emphasizes the importance of sustained investment and diversified supply contracts to address these challenges.