QatarEnergy plans further LNG production boost at North Field

QatarEnergy announced on Sunday a new expansion in their liquefied natural gas production that will add an extra 16 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) to their current expansion plans, raising the total capacity to 142 mtpa, according to Reuters. 

QatarEnergy’s chief, Saad al-Kaabi, stated in Doha press conference that the North Field’s expansion from 77 mtpa to 142 mtpa by 2030, an 85 per cent increase, is due to this additional boost. 

Qatar, a leading LNG exporter, has faced increased competition since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. 

The company has signed numerous supply deals with European and Asian partners for its North Field expansion project. 

Before Sunday’s announcement, the project aimed to increase LNG production from 77 mtpa to 126 mtpa by 2027. Exploration in the west of North Field led to further expansion plans. 

In December, Kaabi revealed that QatarEnergy was drilling wells to explore expansion beyond the North Field, East Field, and South Phases. 

The latest expansion will need two more LNG trains, adding to the six already under construction. Qatar shares the North Field, the world’s largest gas field, with Iran, which refers to its share as South Pars.