The trunkline complements the original 40-inch (1,016 millimetre) trunkline which has been operating since 1984, linking the NWS Venture’s three offshore gas production facilities, about 130 kilometres north-west of Karratha, to onshore gas processing facilities on the Burrup Peninsula.
The trunkline is the biggest installed in Australia and one of the biggest in the world, and more than doubles the offshore production capacity to transport gas from the offshore production platforms to its onshore processing facilities from 1,650 million standard cubic feet a day (46.7 million cubic metres a day) to 3,850 million standard cubic feet a day (110.7 million cubic metres a day).
"The trunkline gives us a greater degree of reliability and flexibility, particularly when maintenance is required on the different facilities, as we will now be able to direct gas produced by our offshore facilities through either one or both of the trunklines,” said NWS chief executive officer, Steve Ollerearnshaw,
"The installation and commissioning of this facility in a harsh and difficult offshore environment is testament to the skills and dedication of all those involved.
Woodside is making the most of the marketing advantages the second trunkline gives it, stressing to Asian buyers the security of supply the NWS now possesses.
NWS Australia LNG President John Banner said the second trunkline provided Asian LNG buyers with another good reason to choose the NWS Venture as the LNG supplier of choice in the region.
“Last year we achieved our 1500th consecutive LNG delivery to Japan. This year we will complete the trunkline project, as well as commission the Venture’s fourth LNG processing train.
“This promises to be a very exciting year for the North West Shelf Venture and its valued customers.”
The expansion also includes a fourth LNG processing train and associated infrastructure. The A$1.6 billion fourth train is scheduled for completion in mid-2004. It will have a capacity of 4.2 million tonnes a year and will increase the NWS LNG production capability to nearly 12 million tonnes a year.
