The deal marks a strategic pivot for the exporter, which previously commanded roughly 20% of the global LNG market. The company halted domestic operations earlier this year and declared force majeure on existing contracts after an Iranian strike on the Ras Laffan facility destroyed approximately 17% of its total export capacity. By shifting to U.S.-based production, QatarEnergy seeks to stabilize its supply chain against the ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz.

This contract is part of a broader hedging strategy. Earlier this month, the company finalized a deal with Cheniere Energy for 4 million metric tons annually through 2054. The Woodside agreement centers on a Louisiana plant acquired via the 2024 takeover of Tellurian. The facility, which features three production trains with a combined capacity of 16.5 million tons, is scheduled to commence operations in 2029. QatarEnergy is also heavily invested in the Golden Pass project in Texas, where it holds a 70% stake in an 18-million-ton annual capacity development.