Baker Hughes announced an order to be booked in the first quarter of 2023 with longtime partner QatarEnergy to supply two main refrigerant compressors (MRCs) for the North Field South (NFS) project, which will be executed by Qatargas. The MRCs are part of two LNG “mega trains” representing 16 million tons per annum (MTPA) of additional capacity that is estimated to further boost Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 126 MTPA, helping to propel Qatar as a leader in global LNG production by 2027.
The order reflects more than two decades of trust and successful collaboration between Baker Hughes, QatarEnergy and its various operating companies across the energy value chain. Most notably, Baker Hughes has supported Qatargas since the early 1990s with core LNG liquefaction technology. This most recent contract, which builds upon a previously announced award for North Field East (NFE) expansion in 2020, will bring the overall number of LNG “mega trains” driven by Baker Hughes’ leading energy solutions to 12.
Like the trains supplied for the NFE project, Baker Hughes’ LNG technology will contribute to improving the energy efficiency of the project through enhanced machine performance. Each MRC train will consist of three Frame 9E DLN Ultra Low NOx gas turbines and six centrifugal compressors across two LNG “mega trains” for a total scope of supply of six gas turbines to drive 12 centrifugal compressors. Packaging, manufacturing and testing of the gas turbine/compressor trains, a unique Baker Hughes offering, will take place at Baker Hughes’ Gas Technology facilities in Italy and leverage its service site in Ras Laffan, Qatar, for maintenance and technical assistance services.
