The INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project has welcomed the semi-submersible pipelay barge SEMAC-1 to the Northern Territory, Australia.
The SEMAC-1 is scheduled to be in Darwin Harbour for about four weeks. In total, the 164 kilometre shallow water pipelay installation is scheduled to take about 80 days. Once completed, the SEMAC-1 will transfer work to Saipem’s deep water installation vessel, Castorone, which will lay the remaining 718 kilometres of pipe to the Ichthys Field.
International oil and gas contracting service provider Saipem is the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contractor for the Ichthys LNG Project’s GEP. Mr Bon said that Saipem had significant experience in this area, including on similar large diameter pipeline projects.
“In line with INPEX requirements, Saipem has put in place stringent safety and environmental procedures. They are committed to working safely with commercial and recreational harbour users,” Bon said.
About the Ichthys LNG Project The Ichthys LNG Project is a Joint Venture between INPEX group companies (the Operator), major partner TOTAL and the Australian subsidiaries of Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, Chubu Electric Power and Toho Gas. Gas from the Ichthys Field, in the Browse Basin offshore Western Australia, will undergo preliminary processing offshore to remove water and raw liquids, including condensate. The gas will then be exported to the onshore processing facilities in Darwin via an 889 km pipeline. The Ichthys LNG Project is expected to produce 8.4 million tonnes of LNG and 1.6 million tonnes of LPG per annum, along with approximately 100,000 barrels of condensate per day at peak. Detailed Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of the Ichthys LNG Project is ongoing and production is scheduled to commence by the end of 2016. With an expected operational life of at least 40 years, the Ichthys LNG Project offers rare multi-generational opportunities to communities, economies, businesses, energy markets and its workforce.
About Shallow Water Pipelay in Darwin Harbour The Ichthys LNG Project has been engaging with the community on the arrival of the SEMAC-1 and gas export pipeline (GEP) works since late 2013 as part of its ongoing marine safety campaign in Darwin. The SEMAC-1 has 12 anchors on wires – 3 at each corner – so a safety zone of between 1.4 kilometres and 2.5 kilometres will be in place depending on the vessel’s job and location. Anchor buoys will be visible on the surface of the water around the perimeter of the SEMAC-1 and will move with the vessel. In some places there may be more than one anchor buoy per wire. At any one time about 11 support vessels will be working 24 hours per day alongside the SEMAC-1. Helicopters will be used to transfer personnel to the vessel. The SEMAC-1 is expected to be anchored at Darwin Outer Port Limits until work is ready to commence. Harbour users are asked to always check the Mariners’ Notices and observe instructions from the Harbour Master when planning their day on the water. [mappress]