QatarEnergy is proceeding with a new liquefied natural gas expansion project, the North Field West project, as part of efforts to raise the country’s production capacity to 142 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) before the end of this decade. This represents an increase of almost 85% from current production levels.

In a press conference in Doha, minister of state for energy affairs Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, who is also president and chief executive officer of QatarEnergy, says extensive appraisal drilling and testing have confirmed that productive layers of the giant North Field extend towards the west, which allows for developing a new LNG production project in Ras Laffan.

Geological and engineering studies have been undertaken, and a number of appraisal wells have been drilled in the area. QatarEnergy will immediately start the basic engineering works according to the approved schedule for the new project, which will be called the North Field West project.

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

North Field West is expected to contribute 16 mtpa to the country’s LNG production. With the completion of the project, Qatar’s total hydrocarbon production will exceed 7.25 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.