The North Field South (NFS) project is the planned second phase expansion of Qatar’s North Field, the world’s largest single non-associated gas field.

The 16-metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) NFS Project, along with the first expansion phase North Field East (NFE) Project, will increase LNG production from the offshore North Field.

It will boost Qatar’s export capacity to 48 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) and increase the country’s total production capacity to 126mtpa by 2028.

The LNG project is operated by QatarEnergy.

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According to the company, the project will focus on carbon capture and sequestration to minimise its overall carbon footprint.

The expansion is slated to commence production in 2026.

Ownership

QatarEnergy holds 75% ownership in the NFS project. The company has also selected three international partners for the development of the project.

In September 2022, TotalEnergies was selected as the first international partner. It obtained a 9.375% stake in the NFS project out of a total 25% interest made available for international partners.

Shell and ConocoPhillips joined the project as the second and third international partners in October 2022.

As agreed, Shell will obtain a 9.375% participating interest in North Field South, while ConocoPhillips will hold an effective net participating interest of 6.25%.

Project details

First announced in 2017, the North Field Expansion project involves producing gas from the southern sector of the North Field. The gas will be transported by pipeline to Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC) to process it into LNG for exports.

The upstream part of the NFS will include five platforms, 50 wells, and gas pipelines to the onshore processing plant. The downstream component of the project will involve delivering two 8mtpa liquefaction trains providing it with a combined capacity of 16mtpa.

The native carbon dioxide generated from the natural gas production will be captured and then sequestered, in a step to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity. The processing plant will be connected to Qatar’s electrical grid.

Contractors and Agreements

In March 2021, Saipem received a letter of award from QatarEnergy-subsidiary Qatargas related to a more than $1bn North Field Production Sustainability Pipelines Project contract.

The contract includes engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of offshore three export trunklines for a total length of almost 300km, related onshore tie-in works and other brownfield activities.

The pipelines will be laid by DE HE and Saipem Endeavour vessels.

According to Saipem, the project works will be completed by mid-2024.

In August 2022, McDermott International secured the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) contract by QatarEnergy. The contract for the North Field South LNG Project covers offshore pipelines and power/FO cables respectively.

Prior to this, McDermott International won the contract for the jackets, topsides, and pipelines for the North Field South LNG project.

KAEFER was selected for providing key services such as passive fire protection, insulation works, and installation of GRE pipes for the project. The company will deliver the above services at McDermott’s Module Yard in Batam.

About North Field

The North Gas Field was discovered in 1971. With total recoverable gas of more than 900 trillion standard cubic feet, the field is regarded as the largest single non-associated gas reservoir in the world.

Commercial exploration began in 1991 and it has an average production of more than 700 mmscf per day of gas and 18,000 barrels per day of stabilised condensate.

Overall, North field includes an area of 6,000 square kilometres.

The North Field East Project (NFE), currently underway, will increase LNG production capacity from 77mtpa to 110mtpa. The NFS will further increase it to 126mtpa