Shell has become one of several energy companies declaring force majeure for its customers due to gas supply delays.

The British company is invoking a contractual provision releasing it from obligations after Qatar suspended LNG production at its facilities last week, Reuters reports.

Shell, the world's largest LNG trader, cannot purchase gas from QatarEnergy, which itself declared force majeure following strikes on refineries.

The provision protects companies from liability in cases of extraordinary and unpredictable events affecting the fulfillment of contractual obligations.

Analysts estimate Shell purchases around 6.8 million tonnes of LNG from Qatar annually. TotalEnergies, which has also reportedly declared force majeure, purchases 5.2 million tonnes and sells gas to customers worldwide.

Qatar's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times last week that restoring normal supplies will take "weeks to months" even if the war ends today.