QatarEnergy has extended the suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to Italian utility Edison until early November, prolonging a disruption that has already forced the European energy company to replace billions of cubic metres of gas.
The latest extension, communicated to Edison on Thursday, will prevent QatarEnergy from delivering another five LNG cargoes scheduled between the end of September and early November, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Edison subsequently disclosed the development in a message posted on Italy’s GME gas-market platform, citing the continuing impact of the U.S.-Iran war on Qatar’s ability to fulfil its supply commitments.
The additional cancellations bring the total number of LNG cargoes suspended under the arrangement to 29, representing approximately 3.8 billion cubic metres of natural gas, Edison said in a statement issued on Friday.
Edison secures alternative supplies
Despite the prolonged disruption, Edison said it had been able to find alternative sources of gas and would continue to meet its obligations to customers.
The Italian utility said it remained capable of replacing the missing Qatari volumes and maintaining supplies to the market.
“As of August 28, 2026, Edison's volumes replaced at the Adriatic LNG terminal amounted to 21 LNG cargoes, corresponding to approximately 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas,” the company said.
Edison also confirmed that it could source alternative gas for all its customers and fulfil its commercial commitments despite the suspension of deliveries from QatarEnergy.
The replacement volumes are being brought into Italy through the Adriatic LNG terminal, helping to offset the reduction in Qatari supplies.
QatarEnergy halted deliveries in April
QatarEnergy first stopped supplying Edison in April following disruptions linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The suspension has since affected a significant portion of the gas covered by Edison’s long-term supply agreement with the Qatari energy producer.
Edison, which is owned by French energy group EDF, has a long-term contract with QatarEnergy to receive approximately 6.4 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually for delivery to Italy.
That volume is equivalent to around 10 per cent of Italy’s total natural gas consumption, making QatarEnergy an important supplier to Edison and a significant contributor to Italy’s LNG supply portfolio.
The contract was signed in 2009 and has a total duration of 25 years, reflecting the long-term nature of Qatar’s role in supplying the European energy market.
Energy market faces continued uncertainty
The prolonged suspension highlights the vulnerability of international LNG supply chains to geopolitical disruptions.
Although Edison says it has secured replacement supplies, the cancellation of dozens of cargoes underscores the challenge facing European energy companies as they attempt to maintain stable supplies amid conflict-related disruptions.
For Italy, the availability of alternative LNG cargoes through facilities such as the Adriatic LNG terminal provides a degree of flexibility. However, prolonged interruptions from major suppliers can place additional pressure on procurement and energy-market management.
With five more cargoes now expected to be affected between late September and early November, Edison will continue relying on alternative sources to compensate for the shortfall.
The latest notification means QatarEnergy’s suspension of deliveries to one of its largest European customers will extend well beyond the initial disruption in April, keeping the impact of the conflict on Italy’s gas supply chain in focus.