State-run Qatar Petroleum said Wednesday it launched a drilling campaign for the North Field East Project as part of plans to expand LNG production.
The jack-up rig “GulfDrill Lovanda” spudded the first of 80 North Field East development wells on March 29.
GulfDrill, a joint venture between the Qatar-based Gulf Drilling International and Seadrill, manages the rig.
This phase of the North Field expansion project will increase Qatar’s LNG production capacity from 77 to 110 mtpa.
The second phase of the North Field LNG expansion project will further boost Qatar’s production capacity to 126 mtpa.
The expansion project is also called the North Field South Project.
Qatar Petroleum had earlier awarded a number of contracts for jack-up drilling rigs for the North Field project.
The state company says the installation of the first four offshore jackets in Qatari waters is underway.
It expects to complete installation works by the end of this month.
“The start of the development drilling campaign for NFE represents an important milestone to deliver on our strategy to grow our LNG production capacity,” Qatar Petroleum’s chief executive and Qatari energy minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, said.
“The continued achievement of milestones, dedication of significant resources and making of substantial investments is proof that the NFE remains on top of our priorities and demonstrates our commitment to executing this mega-project,” he added.
