QatarEnergy expects to begin operations of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) train at North Field East (NFE) during the first half of 2027, while repairs to two damaged trains at Ras Laffan could take up to three years. The first train will have a capacity of 8 million tons per year and is part of the NFE project, designed to add an additional 32 million tons of LNG capacity annually. According to statements by QatarEnergy CEO and Qatar’s Minister of Energy Affairs, Saad al-Kaabi, reported by Reuters, the schedule for subsequent trains will depend on how the disruptions related to the Strait of Hormuz evolve.
QatarEnergy will begin production at North Field East in 2027
During the Qatar Economic Forum Special Edition held in New York, al-Kaabi explained that difficulties in receiving some of the equipment needed for the expansion have introduced uncertainty into the project’s timeline. Even so, QatarEnergy it maintains its forecast that the first NFE train will be operational during the first half of 2027, throughout that same year, the company expects to progressively incorporate other trains into production.
North Field East is a central piece of the program with which Qatar seeks to significantly expand its liquefaction infrastructure and increase its LNG production capacity, while North Field South (NFS), which will add another 16 million tons per year of capacity, is scheduled to start production in 2028.
Qatar aims for 142 million tons of LNG annually
The NFE and NFS projects are part of the North Field expansion program, along with North Field West. Together, these initiatives will increase production capacity, LNG from Qatar from the current 77 million to 142 million tons annually.
If the planned schedule is met, the increase would be approximately 84% over current capacity and would represent a significant expansion of the country’s liquefaction infrastructure. This growth also involves the gradual addition of new facilities. North Field East will contribute four trains with a combined capacity of 32 million tons per year.
Repairing the damaged trains at Ras Laffan will take three years
While Qatar Energy is moving forward with the expansion of the North Field, some of its existing infrastructure will require a lengthy repair process. Al-Kaabi indicated that restoring the two damaged LNG trains at Ras Laffan will take approximately three years. These facilities represent about 17% of the company’s stated production capacity.
In addition, a gas-to-liquids (GTL) conversion train damaged in the incident could return to service during the first quarter of 2027. This scenario forces Qatar Energy to manage two fronts simultaneously: the recovery of existing facilities and the commissioning of new trains associated with its expansion program.
The Strait of Hormuz dictates the schedule
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz also remains a factor that could influence the development of the projects. According to al-Kaabi, several neighboring countries have expressed willingness to allow the construction of a gas pipeline through their territories to avoid transit through this waterway. However, the executive considered such an alternative redundant and economically impractical compared to the North Field expansion already underway.
Qatar Energy estimates that its operations could return to normal a few weeks after transit through the strait resumes regular service. Al-Kaabi also emphasized the importance of this route for the regional transport of goods and energy products.
Golden Pass LNG will reach full capacity in 2028
Outside of Qatar, the company is also continuing to advance other LNG-related projects. Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between Qatar Energy and ExxonMobil in Texas, will have a capacity of 18 million tons per year. According to al-Kaabi, the facility should reach full capacity in 2028 with the commissioning of trains 2 and 3.
Meanwhile, Golden Triangle Polymers, a joint project between QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical with a capacity of 2 million tons per year, has already begun its commissioning phase. Both facilities are located in Jefferson County, Texas, and are part of QatarEnergy’s international portfolio as the company simultaneously develops the expansion of its LNG capacity at the North Field.
Source: Oil & Gas Journal
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