Qatar Petroleum (QP) announced the award of a major engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to Samsung C&T Corporation for the expansion of the LNG storage and loading facilities located within Ras Laffan Industrial City as part of the North Field East (NFE) Project.

The EPC contract was signed by HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, The President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, and the President and CEO of Samsung C&T Oh Se-chul, during a special ceremony at Qatar Petroleum Headquarters and in the attendance of senior officials from Qatar Petroleum and Qatargas.

The contract, valued at more than 2 billion dollars (including options), was awarded on a lump sum basis and is the second major onshore EPC contract award for the NFE project.

On Feb. 8, 2021, QP awarded the EPC contract for the construction of four LNG mega-trains with associated facilities to Chiyoda Technip Joint Venture. The award of this contract for the expansion of the LNG storage and loading facilities represents yet another important milestone on the road to substantially increase the State of Qatar's LNG production capacity.

Both contracts represent the culmination of front-end engineering and design work that began in early 2018. When completed, the NFE Project will increase the State of Qatar's LNG production capacity from 77 million to 110 tons per annum (MTPA). The second phase of the planned LNG expansion, the North Field South (NFS) Project, will further increase Qatar's LNG production capacity from 110 MTPA to 126 MTPA by 2027.

Commenting on this occasion, HE Saad Minister of State for Energy Affairs, The President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi said: "The award of this contract marks another concrete step towards the further development of Qatar's natural gas resources, and enhancing its position as the world's largest, most reliable LNG producer."

HE Al Kaabi added: "This contract provides for the expansion of existing infrastructure required to ensure the safe loading and on time delivery of the LNG cargoes the international customers across the globe. Its scope includes three LNG tanks and three LNG loading berths for NFE, and options for two LNG tanks and one LNG berth for NFS project, and all associated pipes, lines and loading lines."

His Excellency concluded: "We are looking forward to working with Samsung to deliver this important component of the North Field Expansion project in a safe, timely, and efficient manner, adding that they are delighted that the detailed engineering activities under the contract will take place in Qatar, thus leveraging the growing technical capabilities for the development of major projects in the country."

As per Qatar Petroleum's established practice, special attention is paid to support the highest environmental standards by employing a high-efficiency design, and applying best available industry technologies to reduce gas and effluents emissions. This contract, in particular, includes the expansion of systems that target the elimination of flaring during the loading of LNG ships, in addition, recovery of 'jetty boil-off gas' will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

(QNA)