Qatar plans LNG blitz

Qatar plans to raise its LNG output by 85% by the end of the decade. (Image: QatarEnergy)

QatarEnergy will proceed with a new LNG expansion project to raise the state of Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 142 million tons per annum (MTPA) before the end of this decade, representing an increase of almost 85% from current production levels.

The North Field West project was announced by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the minister of State for Energy Affairs and president and CEO of QatarEnergy.

Speaking at the press conference, Al-Kaabi said extensive appraisal drilling and testing have confirmed that productive layers of Qatar’s giant North Field extend towards the west, which allows for developing a new LNG production project in Ras Laffan.

Al-Kaabi also announced the presence of huge additional gas quantities in the North Field estimated at 240 trillion cubic feet, which raises the State of Qatar’s gas reserves from 1,760 to more than 2,000 trillion cubic feet, and the condensates reserves from 70 to more than 80 billion barrels, in addition to large quantities of liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, and helium.

“These are very important results of great dimensions that will take Qatar’s gas industry to new horizons, as they will enable us to begin developing a new LNG project from the North Field’s western sector with a production capacity of about 16 MTPA,” Al-Kaabi said. “As such, the State of Qatar’s total LNG production will reach about 142 MTPA when this new expansion is completed before the end of this decade. This represents an increase of almost 85% compared to current production levels. With the completion of this project, the State of Qatar’s total hydrocarbon production will exceed 7.25 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.”

Al-Kaabi added that QatarEnergy will immediately commence the basic engineering works necessary to ensure that the planned progress is achieved according to the approved schedule for this new project, which will be called the North Field West project.

QatarEnergy continues work to implement various elements of the North Field production expansion projects, including the North Field East project and the North Field South project.

Image: Qatar LNG

QatarEnergy announced an LNG expansion project that will help the state of Qatar raise its LNG output by more than 85% by the end of the decade.