The shutdown was initially scheduled for early September but was brought forward in order to minimise disruptions to LNG cargoes.

Repairs will be undertaken on the same mixed refrigerant compressor that caused a 30-day shutdown last August. Another shutdown, of 20 days, occurred in February last year when the main cryogenic heat exchanger had to be repaired.

North West Shelf operator Woodside is discussing a revised LNG delivery schedule with customers.

Commissioned in August 2004, the 4.2 million tonnes per annum fourth train is Australia’s largest single LNG production unit.

The project’s other three LNG processing trains are operating as usual.