QatarEnergy’s North Field South (NFS) Offshore Pipelines and Cables Project continues to gain momentum in 2026 as offshore engineering and construction activities advance across Qatar’s wider North Field Expansion program, despite regional geopolitical disruptions earlier this year.

Latest 2026 updates indicate that key LNG expansion works tied to the North Field East and North Field South developments remain on track with only limited schedule delays measured in months rather than years, according to project partner ConocoPhillips.

The subsea pipelines and cables package, being executed primarily by McDermott for QatarEnergy LNG, is regarded as one of the most important offshore infrastructure components supporting Qatar’s plan to increase LNG production capacity from 77 million tons per annum (MTPA) to 142 MTPA by 2030.

The project includes nearly 250 km of offshore and onshore gas pipelines, subsea composite power and control cables. It also features infrastructure linking new offshore wellhead platforms to LNG mega-trains under development at Ras Laffan Industrial City. Bul Hanine and Maydan Mahzam redevelopment project is also another important offshore upstream investments currently underway in Qatar. Bul Hanine aims to drill 150 new wells, expand capacity and extend production life.

North Field South (NFS) Offshore Pipelines and Cables Project Fact Sheet

Location: Offshore Qatar and Ras Laffan Industrial City

Client: QatarEnergy LNG

Project Type: Offshore subsea pipelines and cables infrastructure

Main Contractor: McDermott

Associated Program: North Field Expansion Project (NFXP)

Project Scope:

• Offshore gas export pipelines
• Subsea composite power and control cables
• Fiber optic systems
• Onshore pipeline connections
• Beach valve station infrastructure
• Offshore integration and installation works

Pipeline Length: Approximately 250 km (NFS package)

Associated Offshore Facilities: Five offshore wellhead platforms and two LNG trains

Strategic Objective: Support expansion of Qatar LNG production capacity from 77 MTPA to 142 MTPA

Fabrication Hub: QFAB yard, Ras Laffan

Target Completion Window: Late 2020s

Project Development Timeline

2021: QatarEnergy advances North Field Expansion program and major offshore tendering

January 2022: McDermott awarded mega offshore EPCI packages for North Field East and North Field South developments

July 2023: McDermott secures NFPS Offshore Fuel Gas Pipeline and Subsea Cables Project (COMP1) contract

October 2023: Foundation work for North Field East and North Field South LNG expansion megaprojects start

October 2024: QatarEnergy LNG awards McDermott EPCI contract for North Field South Offshore Pipelines and Cables Project

2025: Offshore fabrication and installation activities accelerate across multiple NFXP packages

May 2026: Project partners indicate only limited schedule delays despite regional disruptions, with offshore development works continuing

2030 Target: Qatar aims to raise LNG production capacity to 142 MTPA through the North Field Expansion program

Project Team Behind North Field South (NFS) Offshore Pipelines and Cables Project

Client: QatarEnergy LNG

Offshore EPCI Contractor: McDermott

Offshore Compression and Related Infrastructure: Saipem

LNG EPC Partners: Technip Energies, Chiyoda Corporation

Fabrication Support: QFAB

LNG Expansion Partner: ConocoPhillips

Qatar’s Subsea Pipelines and Cables Project Awards Contract to McDermott

Reported July 12, 2023 – Leading subsea and deepwater construction company, McDermott has won Qatar’s Subsea Pipelines and Cables Project contract. The EPCI (engineering, procurement, construction, and installation) contract from Qatargas Operating Company Limited‘s value is between $750 million and $1.5 billion. Its offshore facilities will potentially become an essential contributor toward the COP-26 energy transition goals.

Extensively, the project is known as COMP1; the North Field Production Sustainability (NFPS) Offshore Fuel Gas Pipeline and Subsea Cables project. Furthermore, the development forms part of the North Field South (NFS) and North FIeld East (NFE) expansion projects.

In a nutshell, it will feature the installation of 17 kilometers of subsea composite cables. Alongside, 190 kilometers of 32-inch diameter subsea pipelines. Moreover, Qatar’s Subsea Pipelines and Cables Project will also include 10 kilometers of onshore pipelines as well as 186 kilometers of fiber optic cables. Additionally, McDermott will provide all pre-commissioning works for every infield structural and pipelines installation.

Read Also: Construction of Integrated Polymers complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, Kicks Off

North Field South (NFS) Offshore Pipelines and Cables Project Goals

While commenting on the project, McDermott Senior Vice President, Offshore Middle East noted that it aims to deliver a strategically significant energy infrastructure development. Furthermore, Mike Sutherland, said it’ll greatly contribute to Qatar’s overall LNG production target from 77 to 126 million tons per annum (MTPA).

Qatar’s Subsea Pipelines and Cables Project’s management and engineering will be from McDermott’s Doha office. Meanwhile, fabrication works will take place at the McDermott-Nakilat joint-venture fabrication yard in Qatar, QFAB. The company’s DLV2000 heavy lift and pipelay vessel will carry out the development’s offshore installation.

As a whole. the project aligns with McDermott’s emission reduction targets. By 2030, the US company aims to reach a 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Moreover, McDermott, targets to achieve a 35% reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions, by the same year.