Liquefaction technology selected for Qatar’s newest mega-trains

Air Products will supply its proprietary AP-X natural gas liquefaction process technology and equipment to Qatargas for the first phase of Qatar Petroleum’s North Field East expansion project in Ras Laffan, Qatar. Each of the four new LNG trains, the largest of their type in the world, will have a production capacity of 7.8 mta.

When these mega trains become operational in 2025 liquefying natural gas from Qatar’s North Field, regarded as the largest offshore non-associated natural gas field in the world, Qatar will maintain its position as the world’s number one LNG producer.

Air Products chief executive Dr Samir J Serhan said the company’s AP-X liquefaction technology satisfies Qatargas’ aim to “reduce capital cost per tonne of LNG produced via economies of scale. These immense AP-X units have a process production capacity that is 50% larger than any other LNG train in operation and positions Air Products well for any customer requiring larger LNG process trains.”

Air Products has supplied key equipment and technology for all of Qatar’s 14 existing LNG trains operating in Ras Laffan, the first of which started production in 1996 using Air Products’ AP-C3MR LNG technology. These AP-C3MR LNG process units were followed by six AP-X LNG process units, which started up between 2009 and 2011. The Air Products equipment provided with the proprietary AP-X natural gas liquefaction technology includes main cryogenic heat exchangers, subcooling heat exchangers, rotoflow turbomachinery companders and nitrogen economiser cold boxes.

Air Products will build the AP-X LNG heat exchangers at its Port Manatee, Florida manufacturing facility.