TotalEnergies and OQ Exploration and Production (OQEP) have officially launched construction on the Marsa LNG plant, a significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) project located in the port city of Sohar in northern Oman. The groundbreaking ceremony was held under the patronage of Oman's Minister of Energy and Minerals, His Excellency Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, alongside TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné and OQEP CEO Ahmed Al Azkawi.

Marsa LNG LLC, a joint venture between TotalEnergies (80%) and OQEP (20%), is overseeing the development of the 1 million-ton-per-year LNG liquefaction facility. The plant is slated to begin operations in the first quarter of 2028 and will primarily supply LNG for the marine fuel market in the Gulf region.

Designed with sustainability at its core, Marsa LNG is fully electrified and will be powered by a 300-megawatt-peak photovoltaic solar plant. This integration allows the facility to operate with one of the world’s lowest carbon intensities for an LNG plant—less than 3 kg CO2 equivalent per barrel of oil equivalent (boe), approximately 90% below the global average of 35 kg CO2e/boe.

Strategically positioned at the entrance to the Gulf, the site will also serve as the region’s first LNG bunkering hub. Marsa LNG has signed a charter contract for a new LNG bunkering vessel named Monte Shams, honoring Oman’s Jabal Shams or “Mountain of the Sun.” The vessel is under construction and will be stationed in Sohar beginning in 2028 to supply LNG to various vessels, including tankers, container ships and cruise liners.

“I'm proud to see Marsa LNG breaking ground with our longstanding partner OQEP and the strong backing of the Omani authorities,” said Pouyanné. “This project demonstrates that LNG can be produced with very low emissions, setting a benchmark for future facilities worldwide and supporting the shipping industry’s energy transition.”

Minister Al Aufi emphasized the project's alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and the country's sustainability and innovation goals. “Marsa LNG reflects our dedication to creating infrastructure for clean marine fuel while enhancing economic integration across industries and strengthening Oman’s status as a regional energy hub,” he said.

OQEP CEO Ahmed Al Azkawi added, “This project represents a major stride toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future and reinforces Oman’s role in global energy. We are proud to support the maritime sector’s decarbonization efforts.”