State-run oil and gas company Qatar Petroleum has raised its LNG capacity expansion target, from 100 Mt/year to 110 Mt/year, representing an increase of 43% from its current production capacity of 77 Mt/year. The group now plans to build a fourth LNG train of around 8.6 Mt/year, on top of the three 7.8 Mt/year train previously announced and expected in 2024, adding 32 Mt/year of liquefaction capacity. This expansion is expected to strengthen Qatar's leading position on the global market.
Qatar is currently the largest LNG producer worldwide, thanks to 14 liquefaction trains with a cumulated capacity of 77 Mt/year. The Qatargas complex includes three 3.2 Mt/year trains (Qatargas I, 1996-1998) and four 7.8 Mt/year trains grouped in Qatargas II (2009), Qatargas III (2010) and Qatargas IV (2011). The Ras Laffan complex includes two 3.3 Mt/year trains (Ras Laffan I, 1999), three 4.7 Mt/year trains (Ras Laffan II, 1999-2007) and two 7.8 Mt/year trains (Ras Laffan III, 2009-2010). Qatar Petroleum holds a majority stake in all trains (from 65% to 70%).