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(Reuters) – The first liquefied natural gas train under QatarEnergy’s North Field East expansion project will be ready to start operation in November, two people aware of the company’s plans said, offering Qatar a path to restoring some output lost to Iranian attacks.
Launching the train would be a major milestone for the world’s largest LNG expansion project at a time when Qatar is still recovering from the damage caused by attacks on Ras Laffan, which wiped out 17% of the country’s LNG capacity.
LNG production from the train is expected to start in the first quarter of 2027, the people said.
QatarEnergy did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
QatarEnergy Chief Executive Saad al-Kaabi said last month that the project was expected to begin production in the first half of 2027 despite the US-Israeli war against Iran and the resulting disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Mehdy Touil — lead LNG specialist at Calypso Commodities, which develops AI solutions for LNG — said the next major step will be the introduction of feed gas followed by a gradual progression over several weeks towards the first LNG production.
“A sustained ramp-up will ultimately require the resumption of unrestricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, but I expect QatarEnergy to have the first (North Field East) train ready regardless,” he added.
Iranian attacks in March on Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility damaged two LNG trains, repairs to which could take three years to complete, and one gas-to-liquids plant that will complete repairs in the first quarter of 2027.
Despite the damage, Qatar would be able to resume normal gas operations within weeks once the strait reopens, Kaabi said last month, adding that QatarEnergy is currently producing very little LNG.
Reporting by Marwa Rashad; Editing by Joe Bavier Editing by Nina Chestney, David Goodman and Joe Bavier
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