Qatar’s giant North Field Expansion plan is likely to cost more than $50 billion, but the investment decision for its initial phase probably will be delayed until first half of 2021, according to Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy.

State-owned giant Qatar Petroleum (QP) is working on the mega expansion project that envisages ramping up the nation’s liquefaction capacity to 126 million tonnes per annum from the current level 77 million tpa — an increase of 49 million tpa.

The Oslo-based consultancy believes the project's first development phase is now likely to be sanctioned by next year.