North West Shelf Venture approves fifth LNG train

June 20, 2005
North West Shelf LNG Venture participants approved a $1.58 billion expansion that will add a fifth liquefaction train and associated infrastructure to the LNG complex at Karratha, 1,100 km north of Perth, Western Australia.

North West Shelf LNG Venture participants approved a $1.58 billion expansion that will add a fifth liquefaction train and associated infrastructure to the LNG complex at Karratha, 1,100 km north of Perth, Western Australia.

The Phase V expansion will add the 4.2-million-tonne/year liquefaction train, a fractionation unit, an acid gas recovery unit, a boil-off gas compressor, two gas turbine power generation units, a second loading berth, and a fuel gas system compressor to existing facilities. The train is expected to start up in fourth quarter 2008.

“As a result of this decision, the North West Shelf Venture will have effectively doubled its export capacity in less than 4 years with annual LNG production expected to be 15.9 million tonnes/year from late 2008,” said John Banner, president of North West Shelf Australia LNG.

Woodside Energy Ltd., representing Australia’s North West Shelf LNG Venture, let a contract to Foster Wheeler (WA) Pty. Ltd. for the engineering, procurement, and construction management for the project. It previously had issued a letter of intent (OGJ Online, Mar. 7, 2005).