Baker Hughes will supply two main refrigerant compressors (MRCs) for the North Field South (NFS) project, which will be executed by Qatargas. The MRCs are part of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains representing 16 million tons per annum (MTPA) of additional capacity that is estimated to further boost Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 126 MTPA.
Each MRC train will consist of three Frame 9E DLN Ultra Low NOx gas turbines and six centrifugal compressors across two LNG trains for a total scope of supply of six gas turbines to drive 12 centrifugal compressors. Packaging, manufacturing, and testing of the gas turbine/compressor trains will take place at Baker Hughes’ Gas Technology facilities in Italy and leverage its service site in Ras Laffan, Qatar, for maintenance and technical assistance services.
“We are pleased to be a long-time partner to Qatar, helping to position the country as a leading supplier of LNG and helping to unlock more global capacity,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, chair and CEO of Baker Hughes. “LNG will enable the energy transition by acting as a more reliable, affordable and flexible energy source alongside other new energy sources, including renewables and hydrogen. As an LNG technology leader, Baker Hughes is committed to supporting the sector to capture, transfer and transform gas in a way that meets rising energy demand and reduces emissions.”
The North Field is the world’s single largest non-associated natural gas field. The NFS project, owned by QatarEnergy in partnership with a number of international oil companies, and operated by Qatargas, is the second phase of the North Field Expansion Project, which was announced in 2017. When fully completed, it will increase Qatar’s LNG production capacity from 110 MTPA, which will be achieved by the end of the first phase North Field East expansion in 2025, to 126 MTPA by 2027.
The NFS project involves producing gas from the southern sector of the North Field. The gas will be transported by pipeline to Ras Laffan Industrial City 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 8 MTPA liquefaction.
The native carbon dioxide generated from the natural gas production will be captured and then sequestered, in a step to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity. The processing plant will be connected to Qatar’s electrical grid.
