Exxon, BHP Billiton Get Approval for Scarborough FLNG

The Australian Federal Government has granted environmental approval for the Scarborough field development via what will be the world’s largest FLNG facility.

The Scarborough field, located off the coast of Western Australia, approximately 220 kilometres northwest of Exmouth in 900 metres, is being run by a 50:50 joint venture between ExxonMobil and BHP Billiton.

According to the West Australian, the approval was signed on Friday, October 8, by Environment Minister Greg Hunt.

FLNG is considered the best option for developing Scarborough at this stage although further engineering and design work must be undertaken before a final concept select decision is made. The field is one of the most remote of the Carnarvon Basin gas resources.

The FLNG facility

The FLNG facility will be approximately 495 meters long, 75 meters wide and will process a total of around 6-7 million tons per annum of LNG from five processing trains. The facility will have double-hulled sides and bottom and be permanently moored to the seabed. LNG carriers will load from behind the FLNG facility with offloading of LNG taking place approximately 6-9 times per month.

Timeline

The Project is currently in the pre-front end engineering design (pre-FEED) phase. Given that the Project is  currently in an early phase, the Project timings provided are indicative only. The Project is expected to move to  front end engineering design (FEED) during 2013. Following completion of FEED, a final investment decision  (FID) is expected during 2014-2015.

The current field development plan includes two phases of development  drilling, with approximately seven wells to be drilled between 2018 and 2019 (Phase 1) and approximately five  wells to be drilled within 15 years following Project start up (Phase 2). Following Phase 1 drilling, offshore  installation and commissioning will occur during 2019-2020, with start-up expected in 2020-2021.

[mappress]
Offshore Energy Today Staff, November 12, 2013