Under the patronage of Oman’s Minister of Energy & Minerals, TotalEnergies and OQEP have broken ground at the 1 Mt/y Marsa LNG plant in Sohar, set to start production in Q1 2028. This fully electrified facility, paired with a 300 MWp solar farm, will be one of the lowest-carbon-intensity LNG plants worldwide. As the Middle East’s first marine LNG bunkering hub, it will supply vessels via the chartered bunkering vessel Monte Shams and support shipping’s transition to cleaner fuel. Further, the project reflects over $12 billion in recent U.S. investments and aligns with Oman Vision 2040’s sustainability goals
A Landmark Groundbreaking in Sohar
On May 1, 2025, His Excellency Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi joined TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné and OQEP CEO Ahmed Al Azkawi to celebrate the Marsa LNG groundbreaking in the Port of Sohar, one year after the Final Investment Decision Marsa LNG LLC, a joint venture of TotalEnergies (80%) and OQEP (20%), will build the 470,000 sq ft liquefaction plant for marine fuel in the Gulf. Set against the rugged backdrop of northern Oman, the ceremony underscored strong government backing and the strategic importance of local energy infrastructure.
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Marsa LNG plant Sohar Oman Carbon-Reduction Design
Marsa LNG is designed as a fully electrified plant, powered by an adjacent 300 MWp photovoltaic solar farm that covers its annual energy requirements. In addition, this approach yields scope 1 and 2 emissions under 3 kg CO₂e/boe, 90% below the global LNG plant average of 35 kg CO₂e/boe. By pioneering such a low-carbon footprint, TotalEnergies and OQEP aim to set a new industry benchmark and demonstrate that large-scale gas projects can align with global decarbonization targets.
Project Overview
Location: Sohar, Oman
Project Capacity: 300 MW, 1 million ton per year (Mt/y) liquefaction plant
Developers: TotalEnergies & OQEP
Completion Year: 2028
Project Cost: US$1.6 billion
The First LNG Bunkering Hub in the Middle East
Strategically placed at the Gulf’s entrance, Marsa LNG will serve as the region’s inaugural marine bunkering hub. Additionally, a charter contract is in place for the Monte Shams LNG bunker vessel, named after Oman’s “Mountain of the Sun”, to dock in Sohar from 2028, ready to refuel container ships, tankers, and cruise liners. By offering local bunkering, shipowners can cut supply-chain emissions further by avoiding long transits to distant ports.
Economic and Strategic Impact of the Marsa LNG plant Sohar Oman
Marsa LNG will generate hundreds of high-skilled jobs and substantial construction employment, while reinforcing Oman’s status as a clean-fuel hub. Furthermore, the project dovetails with Oman Vision 2040 by promoting downstream energy investment, economic integration across industrial and port sectors, and the transfer of expertise to local talent. Over $12 billion has already been committed to U.S. manufacturing since 2017; similarly, this plant underscores Oman’s ambition to attract global investment and foster sustainable growth.
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Voices of Leadership
“I’m proud to see Marsa LNG break ground alongside OQEP and Oman’s authorities,” said Patrick Pouyanné, highlighting the project’s low-carbon technical design and its role in shipping’s energy transition. His Excellency Al Aufi noted that the plant exemplifies downstream projects as pillars of economic integration, sustainability, and national expertise development. OQEP CEO Ahmed Al Azkawi emphasized Merck’s commitment to innovation and affordability, underscoring Marsa LNG’s pivotal role in reinforcing Oman’s global energy leadership while reducing maritime emissions. This landmark facility promises to redefine LNG production’s environmental footprint and cement Sohar’s place at the forefront of clean-fuel maritime logistics.
