Western Australia’s Barrow Island gas processing facilities are busier than ever with gas now flowing from a new field off the northwest coast of Western Australia
Liquified Natural Gas customers across the Asia Pacific are benefitting from the opening of Stage 2 of the Chevron and Gorgon Joint Venture development off the coast of Western Australia.
Stage 2 expands on the existing subsea gas gathering network of the Gorgon Project, which has been described as the largest single resource project in Australia’s history.
The project generates gas for the Western Australian market, as well as Asia Pacific exports.
Gorgon Stage Two involved the installation of 11 additional wells in the Gorgon and Jansz-Io fields and accompanying offshore production pipelines and subsea structures to maintain feed gas supply for the gas processing facilities on Barrow Island.
Chevron Australia managing director Mark Hatfield says the project would provide a reliable energy source for years to come.
“Gorgon Stage Two first gas marks the next phase of the Gorgon Project and demonstrates our commitment to providing reliable and affordable energy that supports the region’s energy security,” Hatfield says.
“Importantly, the team completed the complex offshore installation work, totalling more than 3.2 million hours to date, without any serious injuries or incidents.
“The development supports the longevity of the Gorgon Project and the continuation of its already significant ongoing benefits including highly skilled local employment, economic activity as well as state and federal government revenue for decades to come.”
The Chevron-operated Gorgon Project is a joint venture between the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47.3 percent), ExxonMobil (25 percent), Shell (25 percent), Osaka Gas (1.25 percent), Tokyo Gas (1 percent) and JERA (0.417 percent).
It has been a major economic driver for the region in terms of infrastructure purchases and labour hire.
“Adding to the initial A$40 billion spend on Australian goods and services from the Gorgon Project since 2009, the development created more than 800 jobs in Western Australia through drilling and completion activities, subsea infrastructure installation and project management,” Hatfield says.