UK player lands another gig on Inpex’s Ichthys project

UK-based oilfield services provider EnerMech has won its second long-term deal to support the Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG development in Australia with a subsidiary of Japan’s oil and gas player Inpex. The latest contract is for the provision of technical support and maintenance services.

EnerMech revealed on Monday that it was awarded a five-year onshore and offshore inspection services, lifting equipment and crane maintenance contract by Inpex Operations Australia to support the Ichthys LNG project.

Garry Ford, EnerMech’s regional director for APAC, which was appointed earlier this year, remarked: “This five-year contract with Inpex represents a significant expansion of EnerMech’s cranes and lifting operations in Australia. As a globally recognised centre of engineering excellence, this work further demonstrates our multi-disciplinary and agile capabilities, integral across our existing portfolio with other major organisations in the country.”

Furthermore, EnerMech confirms that this is its second long-term contract directly with Inpex. The first five-year deal was secured in December 2020. Based on the terms of the deal, the company was hired to support Ichthys LNG Phase 2 through the supply of nitrogen and specialised pressure testing services.

Regarding the most recent activities undertaken as part of the Ichthys LNG phase 2 development, it is worth noting that Heerema Marine Contractors’ Sleipnir vessel was selected by Inpex for the transport of the 4,800 metric ton Ichthys LNG Booster Compression Module (BCM) from Indonesia to Australia and its installation.

According to EnerMech, Ichthys LNG is ranked amongst the most significant energy developments in the world. Located about 220 kilometres offshore Western Australia and 820 kilometres southwest of Darwin, the Ichthys field covers an area of around 800 km² in water averaging depths of around 250 metres. An 890-kilometre pipeline exports gas and condensate from the field to onshore facilities for processing near Darwin. 

The contract stipulates that EnerMech will project manage and deliver campaigns consisting of the supply of lifting and rigging equipment, testing, certification and the provision of 24-hour crane maintenance and technical support starting from May.

“The scope also firmly positions EnerMech as the largest cranes and lifting maintenance services company in the region. We have a highly skilled team with a wide range of specialised skills,” added Ford.

EnerMech explains that its cranes & lifting division strengthened its core team of specialist engineers, maintenance technicians, offshore inspectors and support staff with a local Darwin recruitment campaign underway to support the ILNG work requirements. In addition, it has invested in new equipment and tooling containers.

EnerMech has been active in Darwin for the past 12 years, supporting clients including Inpex and other operators in the region.

When it comes to EnerMech’s recent activities elsewhere, it is worth noting that 3t EnerMech, the company’s strategic alliance with 3t Energy Group, unveiled plans in February 2022 to launch Guyana’s first oil and gas training centre to support in-country skills, safety training and certifications for the local offshore workforce.

Moreover, at the start of January 2022, the UK player provided more insight into the contracts it obtained in 2021, explaining that it kicked off the new year by breaking into new geographies and business territories with over $675.5 million of new contracts secured in the last 12 months.