First production was expected this week, according to earlier company reports.

Beach said the installation of the export line from the Crystal Ocean FPSO to the single point mooring system (SPM) had been completed. But the bearings failed on the Basker Spirit’s Bow Loading System when it tried to connect to the SPM, the company said.

The Basker Spirit has returned to Port Phillip Bay for repairs, which were expected to take seven to 10 days, Beach said.

Joint venture partners in the BMG project are: Anzon Australia Limited (62.5% and operator); and Beach Petroleum Ltd (37.5%).