QatarEnergy expects the first 8 mtpa liquefaction train at its North Field East expansion to start up in the first half of 2027, but the timing of subsequent trains will hinge on a sustained reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, CEO Saad Sherida Al‑Kaabi said.
The NFE expansion comprised of four mega-trains, with 8 mtpa each, taking total capacity to 32 mtpa. Train 1 is mechanically complete and has entered commissioning in September.
Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in New York, Al-Kaabi stressed Train 1 remains on track for first LNG in early 2027, while delivery of critical equipment and completion work for later trains is constrained by ongoing shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.
Long‑term offtake for the North Field East expansion has already largely been secured: QatarEnergy has contracted at combined volume of more than 21.5 mtpa on 15–27-year terms with buyers including Taiwan’s CPC Corp of Taiwan (4 mtpa), Petronet LNG of India, (7.5 mtpa), the Japanese major JERA (3 mtpa), Shell China (3 mtpa) and Kuwait Petroleum (3 mtpa).
The project is largely equity-funded, with international oil majors holding equity stakes in specific trains in relation to their offtake quota: TotalEnergies has a 6.25% interest in NFE, while Shell, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and Eni participate in other North Field expansion trains, providing both offtake and project‑level financing. (September 22, 2026, Source: https://lngjournal.com/index.php/latest-news-mainmenu-47/item/117280-qatar-expects-first-nfe-lng-train-to-start-up-in-h1-2027)
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