DOHA: Two new berths (LNG5 and LNG6) now under construction at the Ras Laffan Port, which is the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) port, are expected to be operational by 2011. All the berths, from LNG3 to LNG6, are capable of handling the new-generation of LNG carriers aptly designed as Q-Flex and Q-Max.
These latest vessels are specially designed and built to transport Qatari LNG to the world markets. Qatar has already established itself as the Number One exporter of LNG in the world with exports reaching 30 million tonnes in 2007. Qatar is also well on its way to achieve its target of 77 million tonnes per year of LNG exports by 2012 as new trains are commissioned.
LNG is produced by the two major Qatar Petroleum (QP) Joint Ventures, Qatargas and RasGas, which are based in the Ras Laffan Industrial City situated on the country's north-eastern coast.
The first new mega-train for Qatargas 2 Project is under commissioning and will be inaugurated next month. The Qatargas 2 Project mega-trains 4 and 5 will produce a total of 15.6 million tonnes per year of LNG and the cargo will mainly go to the United Kingdom.
The other mega-trains of Qatargas 3 & 4 and RasGas 3 will also be brought on stream over the next two years. When the present expansions are completed, Qatargas and RasGas will each operate seven (7) production trains producing 41 million and 36 million tonnes, respectively.
Ras Laffan Port is an ultra-modem and purpose-built facility and is one of the top exporting ports in the Middle East and Asia regions.
The Port commenced operations in September 1996. Since then its berth facilities have been increased significantly to cater to new and expanding industries.
The Port presently covers an area of 56 sq km and serves a fast-expanding hinterland of the Ras Laffan Industrial City. It is the only gateway for Qatar's principal export earner LNG produced from the North Field.
In addition it handles a growing volume of a variety of cargoes, both liquid and dry bulk.
With four (4) operational LNG berths, the Port is already the World's premier LNG exporting facility. On March 22 this year, the Port made history as all of its four LNG berths were occupied simultaneously.
Details of existing berths:
Berth LNG1 - "Al Khor" - Capacity: 135,000 m3 - Moss spherical tanks
Berth LNG2 - "Disha" - Capacity: 136,000 m3 - Conventional membrane tanks
Berth LNG3 - "Al Jassasiya" - Capacity: 145,700 m3 - Conventional membrane tanks
Berth LNG4 - "Al Hamla" - Capacity: 216,000 m3 - Q-Flex membrane tanks.
Besides the LNG facilities, Ras Laffan Port also has a number of other berths to export liquids such as condensate, LPG and GTL products. The dry cargo berths handle sulphur, bulk materials and project cargoes.
The latest addition to the current Port facilities is a large ship repair and dry-dock facility which is expected to be operational by mid-2010. The facility will be equipped with the latest and most modern ship servicing equipment and other supporting facilities similar to those available at other world-class dry-dock.
By Mobin Pandit
© The Peninsula 2009
