Ras Laffan Port the world's largest LNG export facility

Qatar is also well on its way to achieve its target to reach 77m tons per year of LNG exports by 2011 as new trains are brought into production. LNG is produced by the two major Qatar Petroleum (QP) Joint Venture industries; Qatargas and RasGas who are based in the Ras Laffan Industrial City situated in the north east coast of Qatar.

The first new mega-train for Qatargas 2 Project is under commissioning and will be inaugurated in April 2009. The Qatargas 2 Project mega-trains 4 & 5 will produce a total of 15.6m tons per year and the cargo is mainly destined for the United Kingdom. The other mega-trains of Qatargas 3 & 4 and RasGas 3 will also be brought into production in the next 2 years. When the present expansions are completed, Qatargas and RasGas will each operate seven (7) production trains producing 41m and 36m tons respectively.

Ras Laffan Port is the point of export of this clean energy product and also continues to claim a number of global firsts. The Port is an ultra modem and purpose built being one of the top exporting ports in the Middle-East & Asia regions. The Port commenced operations in September 1996. Since that time, the Port and its berth facilities have been increased significantly to cater for the exports of new and expanded industries. The present Port covers an area of 56 square kilometers and serves a fast-expanding hinterland of the Ras Laffan Industrial City. It is the only gateway for Qatar's principal export earner - Liquefied Natural Gas (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 Sunday 22nd March 2009, the Port witnessed the first instant whereby all the four LNG berths were occupied simultaneously. This scene is only possible in Ras Laffan due to having the highest number of LNG berths globally.

The accompanying photo shows the Port scene with the various LNG tankers loading alongside the 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

Additionally, new berths LNG5 & LNG6 are also under construction and will be both operational by the year 2011. All the Berths from LNG3 to LNG6 are capable of handling the new generation of LNG carriers aptly designated as Q-Flex and Q-Max. These latest vessels were specially designed and built to transport Qatari LNG to the world's market.

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.