OilPrice names QatarEnergy, Alaska LNG among five megaprojects to power next gas boom
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
OilPrice names five LNG megaprojects it expects to power the next gas boom, including Qatar's North Field West expansion and Alaska LNG led by Glenfarne Group. The list follows spring 2026 Iranian strikes on Ras Laffan LNG Trains 4 and 6 and Pearl GTL Train 2, which QatarEnergy estimates will sideline about 12.8 million tonnes per year of LNG capacity for three to five years. The projects arrive as Shell's LNG Outlook 2026 projects global demand will reach nearly 700 million tonnes per year by 2050, 65% above 2025 levels.
Demand and Supply Disruption
The US-Iran war has raised natural gas prices in Europe and Asia, with Asia taking almost 90% of LNG shipments from Qatar and the UAE and Europe importing 7–11% of its LNG from the region, according to OilPrice. Spring 2026 Iranian strikes hit Ras Laffan LNG Trains 4 and 6 and Pearl GTL Train 2 in Qatar. QatarEnergy estimates repairs to the two Ras Laffan units will sideline about 12.8 million tonnes per year of LNG capacity for three to five years, while Pearl GTL co-owners QatarEnergy and Shell expect a year-long outage for that train. The S&P Global Commodities Focus podcast reported that supply chain concerns grew once shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key Qatari export route, was disrupted. Shell's LNG Outlook 2026 projects global LNG demand will reach nearly 700 million tonnes a year by 2050, 65% above 2025 levels.
North Field West Expansion
QatarEnergy has awarded Baker Hughes a contract for the North Field West Project covering equipment for two LNG mega trains, including six gas turbines, 12 centrifugal compressors and integrated power systems. The project is part of Qatar's strategy to lift LNG production capacity from 77 million tonnes to 142 million tonnes per year once all expansion phases are complete, according to Euronews. The North Field West phase alone is expected to add around 16 million tonnes per year through two new production lines. QatarEnergy has awarded engineering, procurement and construction contracts to an international consortium, with first output expected towards the end of the decade.
Alaska LNG Project
Alaska LNG is being developed by Glenfarne Group through Glenfarne Alaska LNG, with Glenfarne holding 75% and the State of Alaska owning 25%. Phase 1 involves construction of a 739-mile, 42-inch pipeline to deliver natural gas from the North Slope to Alaska domestic markets. Phase 2 entails LNG liquefaction and related infrastructure in Nikiski, extending the total pipeline length to 807 miles and enabling exports to global markets.
What's Next
First output from Qatar's North Field West phase is expected around the end of the decade, while Glenfarne has not publicly set a final investment decision date for Alaska LNG. It remains unclear whether the five LNG projects identified by OilPrice can come online fast enough to offset the repair outages and rising Asian demand.
1 source
OilPrice names QatarEnergy, Alaska LNG among five megaprojects to power next gas boom
