The North Field West Offshore expansion project is advancing Qatar’s strategy to strengthen its position in global liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets, as major offshore contractors compete for a critical infrastructure package.
The development forms the final phase of QatarEnergy’s wider North Field LNG expansion programme, estimated at approximately $40 billion. Its offshore works will support additional gas production and supply the feedstock required by new LNG processing facilities at Ras Laffan.
China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC), Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon, McDermott and Saipem are among the contractors competing for the production deck modules package. Their participation highlights the scale of engineering, fabrication and offshore installation work associated with Qatar’s expanding gas infrastructure.
North Field West Offshore expansion advances offshore construction
QatarEnergy is progressing the North Field West development as part of its strategy to increase national LNG production capacity to 142 million tonnes annually by 2030. The project will add 16 million tonnes per annum through two LNG trains, each designed for eight million tonnes annually.
However, delivering that capacity requires substantial offshore infrastructure before the processing facilities can receive additional gas. The current tender covers engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of four production deck modules and associated structures.
These installations will support gas production from the North Field reservoirs and provide additional feedstock for the North Field West LNG facilities. Consequently, the successful contractor will play an important role in connecting offshore extraction infrastructure with Qatar’s expanding onshore processing complex.
QatarEnergy extended the technical bidding deadline to October 12, 2026, while commercial bids are scheduled for November 10, according to industry reporting. The extensions give competing contractors additional time to finalise technical submissions and commercial proposals.
North Field West Offshore expansion attracts international contractors
The bidder line-up brings together contractors with experience in offshore engineering, structural fabrication, heavy lifting and complex installation operations. COOEC represents China, while Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon brings Indian engineering and construction capabilities.
Meanwhile, US-based McDermott and Italian contractor Saipem add established offshore execution expertise to the competition. Their participation creates a competitive field for a package that requires coordinated engineering, procurement, fabrication, transportation and installation.
QatarEnergy has already awarded McDermott a separate contract covering four offshore jackets for the North Field West development. Industry reports estimated that contract at approximately $200 million, although the production deck modules package has no publicly confirmed contract value.
The distinction matters because the wider programme’s estimated $40 billion value does not represent the budget for this individual offshore tender. Instead, the figure covers the broader North Field LNG expansion programme, including multiple development phases and infrastructure packages.
North Field West Offshore expansion strengthens Qatar’s LNG infrastructure
The offshore works complement the project’s onshore construction programme, which includes two LNG mega-trains and associated processing infrastructure. In February 2026, QatarEnergy awarded the main engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract for the North Field West LNG trains.
The development builds on North Field East and North Field South, which will increase Qatar’s LNG production capacity from approximately 77.5 million tonnes annually to 126 million tonnes. North Field West will subsequently raise that capacity to 142 million tonnes annually.
Furthermore, the wider programme creates opportunities for fabrication yards, marine contractors, equipment suppliers and specialist engineering firms. Offshore structures require substantial quantities of steel, piping, electrical equipment, instrumentation and corrosion-protection systems.
The project also reinforces Ras Laffan’s role as a major LNG production and export hub. Nevertheless, the offshore package’s final cost and winning contractor remain subject to the tender process.
The North Field West expansion illustrate how Gulf energy projects depend on coordinated offshore production and onshore processing infrastructure. While Qatar’s North Field West expansion targets additional LNG capacity, the $3.3 billion Dorra-linked gas processing project in Kuwait is designed to handle up to 632 million cubic feet of gas daily and 60,000 barrels of condensate.
Both developments highlight the scale of engineering, procurement and construction work required to connect offshore gas resources with processing facilities and regional energy networks.
Also read: $8bn Bab Gas Cap Project: UAE Gas Plant EPC Bid Race Widens Attracting Four Major Consortiums
Project fact sheet
Name: North Field West LNG Expansion Project.
Location: North Field offshore gas reservoirs and Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.
Owner and developer: QatarEnergy.
Wider programme value: Approximately $40 billion for the overall North Field LNG expansion programme.
Offshore package value: Not publicly confirmed.
Main offshore tender: Engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of four production deck modules and associated structures.
Planned LNG capacity addition: 16 million tonnes per annum.
LNG facilities: Two mega-trains, each designed for eight million tonnes annually.
National LNG capacity target: 142 million tonnes annually by 2030.
Technical bid deadline: October 12, 2026.
Commercial bid deadline: November 10, 2026.
Development objective: Increase offshore gas production and supply feedstock to the North Field West LNG facilities.
Current status: Offshore production deck modules tendering alongside wider onshore and offshore project execution.
Project team
Owner and developer: QatarEnergy.
Offshore production deck modules bidders:
- China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC)
- Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon
- McDermott
- Saipem
Offshore jacket engineering, procurement, construction and installation contractor: McDermott.
Onshore LNG engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contractor: Technip Energies-led joint venture with Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) and Gulf Asia Contracting.
LNG processing equipment supplier: Baker Hughes, supplying major refrigerant compression and power-generation equipment.
Onshore front-end engineering and design contractor: Chiyoda Corporation, appointed for the North Field West onshore facilities.
LNG development and infrastructure coordination: QatarEnergy, overseeing the wider expansion programme and associated construction packages.
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