Inpex Operations Australia has let a 5-year contract to LOC Group for marine warranty services and marine assurance for the Ichthys LNG project offshore Australia and its associated drilling operations.
The contract includes warranty review and approval for the loadout, transportation, and installation activities of new field architecture.
A final investment decision for Ichthys LNG was reached in 2012 and production began in July 2018 (OGJ Online, Jan. 13, 2012; Oct. 2, 2018; Oct. 23, 2018). Ichthys LNG is expected to produce 8.9 million tonnes/year of LNG and 1.6 million tonnes/year of LPG, along with more than 100,000 b/d of condensate at peak.
Gas and condensate from Ichthys field 220 km offshore Western Australia will be exported to onshore facilities for processing near Darwin via an 890-km pipeline. The field is estimated to contain more than 12 tcf of gas and 500 million bbl of condensate. Most condensate is directly shipped to global markets from a floating production, storage, and offloading facility permanently moored near the field in the Browse basin. Nearly 70% of the LNG produced is scheduled to be supplied to Japanese customers.
Partners in the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project are Total and the Australian subsidiaries of CPC Corp. Taiwan, Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, Kansai Electric Power, JERA, and Toho Gas.