This follows Technip’s elevation to “preferred contractor” status in May.

The contract will be executed in an alliance arrangement, with executives from

Origin and Technip leading a team resourced from both companies, according to Origin executive general manager for major development projects Andrew Stock.

“We believe the alliance structure, incorporating shared objectives and risk/reward arrangements, will lead to more effective project execution in today’s challenging oil and gas construction market,” he said.

The contract comprises the design, engineering, procurement, installation, construction, pre-commissioning and commissioning of:

• an unmanned wellhead platform with capacity for up to six wells plus future

satellites;

• a 12-inch multiphase pipeline to shore and umbilical from the platform to shore;

• a horizontal, directionally drilled shore crossing;

• onshore processing facilities to meet planned production of 70 terajoules per day;

• an export pipeline for sales-quality natural gas; and

• loading bays for liquefied petroleum gas and condensate.

Installation of the offshore platform is expected to start in the first quarter of next year and construction of the production station will begin in third quarter, with the final development online no later than the first half of the 2009 calendar year, according to Origin.

The $NZ980 million ($A833 million) Kupe gas project was granted final approval to proceed by the joint venture parties in June 2006.

The Kupe partners are Origin Energy Resources (Kupe) (operator with a 50% stake), Genesis Energy (31%), New Zealand Oil & Gas (15%) and Mitsui E&P New Zealand Limited (4%).