Ras Laffan Port Expansion Project - Creating the largest LNG harbor in the world
The Ras Laffan project is one of the largest maritime engineering projects in the world. Its sheer size can best be viewed from space. Over a period of three years, more than 3,000 specialists have been working together to create the largest LNG harbor in the world. The total contract value is approximately USD 2 billion, with the Boskalis share amounting to 50%. Qatar has natural gas reserves of roughly 25 trillion cubic meters, 15% of the world total. The gas is transported from the Offshore North Field (26,000 billion m3), 80 kilometers north of Qatar, into Ras Laffan, where it is liquefied and pumped into latest generation tankers.
Satellite image July 2009
This expansion made it necessary to review the infrastructure of both the petro-chemical installations and the facilities for transportation of the products. The new facilities were to be positioned in a sheltered area. The size of the existing harbor had to be increased from 106 km² to 246 km². Upon completed, the harbor has 10 loading facilities.To facilitate LNG berths and many other related activities (cargo, gas-2- liquid products etc.) the following additional works had to be constructed:
- Facilities for LNG tankers;
- Liquid-product berthing facilities;
- Cargo on- & offloading facilities;
- Vessel repair / dry-dock facilities.
As part of this immense expansion the existing port had to be extended from 8 km² to 51.2 km². This project was awarded to Boskalis - Jan de Nul JV.
For a complete project description, download the project data sheet (pdf).
Client
Qatar Petroleum
Period
2005-2009
Location
Ras Laffan
Contractor
Boskalis Westminster Middle East Ltd en Jan de Nul Dredging Ltd (joint venture)
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Trailing suction hopper dredger
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Cutter suction dredger
