Qatar Petroleum has launched a tender for up to 100 LNG carrier newbuildings that would more than double the fleet of the world’s largest owner Nakilat.
Qatar Petroleum issued an “invitation to tender” on Monday for ship construction capacity to support its North Field Expansion Project which will increase LNG production capacity from 77m tonnes per annum to 110 mtpa from 2024.
The tender for expanded LNG carrier fleet also covers shipping requirements from the Golden Pass LNG export project in the US which will be purchased and offtaken by Ocean LNG a 70 – 30% joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil.
Commenting on the tender Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the president & ceo of Qatar Petroleum, said: “With this significant step, Qatar Petroleum embarks on another major LNG ship-building campaign expected to initially deliver 60 LNG carriers in support of the planned production expansion, with a potential to exceed 100 new LNG carriers over the next decade.
“This important initiative reinforces Qatar Petroleum’s commitment to its global reputation as a safe and reliable LNG producer at all times and under all circumstances.”
Qatargas will execute the newbuilding programme. Qatargas already operates 69 LNG carriers, the largest fleet in the world, under Nakilat with 25 wholly-owned vessels and 44 through joint ventures.