Qatar's Helium Exports to Japan Hit One-Year Low Amid Iran War Disruptions

Gate News message, April 28 — Qatar's helium exports to Japan fell to their lowest level in over a year in March, dropping 81 percent to 8,800 kg compared to the same month last year, according to Bloomberg citing data from Japan's finance ministry. The decline stems from the Iran war, which has disrupted Qatar's energy infrastructure and shipping routes.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Qatar's energy facilities have severely impacted global helium supply. Qatar's Ras Laffan complex, the world's largest liquefied natural gas export hub, has been offline since Iranian missile strikes on March 19, halting helium production. Japan relied on Qatar for nearly 40 percent of its helium imports last year, with the U.S. supplying most of the remainder. Qatar typically accounts for approximately one-third of global helium supply as a byproduct of natural gas production.

According to Anish Kapadia, founder of consultancy AKAP Energy, the closure of Ras Laffan could eliminate more than 10 percent of global helium supply in 2026, equivalent to 11 percent of total global supply. State-owned QatarEnergy indicated it may declare force majeure on contracts for up to five years. Helium is critical for applications including MRI machines and the manufacturing of high-end artificial intelligence chips.