Qatar’s energy sector is on the edge of a new era, with the first portion of its huge LNG expansion project due to come online by the middle of next year. Although this marks a slight delay from planned Q1 start-up, the first new volumes will still be a seismic development for Qatar as it pushes capacity beyond the current 77mn t/y.
That 77mn t/y landmark was reached in 2010 and positioned Qatar as the world’s largest LNG exporter for a decade before it was eventually overtaken by Australia and then the US. Under QatarEnergy’s three phase expansion project, domestic capacity is due to reach 142mn t/y by 2030, positioning it firmly as the world’s second largest supplier. Add in the firm’s 70% stake in the 18mn t/y US Golden Pass project – due online in Q1 next year – and its gross output will reach 160mn t/y. (CONTINUED - 767 WORDS)
