In a landmark ceremony yesterday, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani laid the foundation stone of the North Field expansion project. This pioneering expansion will raise the State of Qatar’s LNG production capacity from the current 77 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 126 MTPA by 2026.
The substantial boost in production due to the North Field expansion project is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to bolstering economic diversification and reaffirm Qatar’s status as the world’s leading exporter of LNG.
The ground-breaking ceremony at Ras Laffan Industrial City, attended by the Minister of State for Energy Affairs H E Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, is a significant step in the global stage as gas, which is a source of clean energy, plays a very important role in the energy sector in its transition to a cleaner source.
The project includes six mega trains, each with a production capacity of eight MTPA of LNG, four of which are part of the North Field East expansion project, and two are part of the North Field South expansion project, contributing a total of 48 MTPA to the global LNG supplies.
Stressing the role Qatar plays in ensuring energy security in the world by supplying the much-needed natural gas to its partners when the world is facing uncertainties causing disruptions which could adversely affect many nations and their millions of inhabitants, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs said: “There is no doubt that these additional quantities of natural gas are of great importance as they will play a prominent role in enhancing energy security, supporting a practical and realistic energy transition, and ensuring fair and equitable access to cleaner energy for a sustainable growth and a better future for all.”
The North Field LNG is the world’s largest gas field, containing 50.97 trillion cubic meters of gas. The area of the field is around 9,700 sqkm, of which 6,000 are in Qatar’s territorial waters. The field was discovered in 1971, and production began in 1989.
The North Field Expansion project stands out as one of the most substantial investments in the energy sector in recent years and is the largest and most competitive LNG endeavour to date. Furthermore, this project plays a pivotal role in fortifying Qatar’s national economy. Additionally, the construction and related activities associated with the project will significantly boost economic activity across various sectors. The project also boasts numerous distinctive environmental benefits.
The North Field expansion project serves as a cornerstone in realizing Qatar’s economic vision and will also bolster the global energy infrastructure.
