WATCH: Australia’s $12.5B gas project makes inroads as final modules for Pluto LNG’s Train 2 come

Australia’s energy giant Woodside has reached another milestone, which it sees as significant for developing its giant gas project off the coast of Western Australia, thanks to the arrival of the last batch of modules at the Pluto Train 2 construction site in Karratha.

With the final modules arriving at the Pluto LNG facility in Karratha, the Pluto Train 2 module program is complete, advancing the Scarborough energy project toward the targeted delivery of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2026. The first of three refrigeration compressor modules came to Karratha in April 2024 after the first three modules of 51 required for the project’s Pluto Train 2 arrived.

All 51 modules, weighing a combined 56,000 metric tons and built at the module yard in Batam, Indonesia, have been shipped to the site since February 2024 to create Pluto Train 2, the second LNG production train at the existing Pluto LNG onshore facility.

Woodside sees the expansion of the Pluto LNG facility to include a second LNG processing train as an efficient way to process gas from the offshore Scarborough field. Pluto Train 2 will have the capacity to process approximately 5 million tons of LNG per annum after it comes into operation.

Furthermore, the expanded Pluto facility entails new domestic gas infrastructure and the capacity to supply up to 225 terajoules per day to the Western Australian market. The Australian energy giant picked Bechtel to execute the engineering, procurement, and construction of Pluto Train 2, with construction activities at the Karratha site starting in August 2022.

Liz Westcott, Woodside’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Australia, commented: “The scale of what has been delivered is an incredible achievement and reflects the team’s commitment and professionalism.

“The Scarborough energy project has made significant progress across multiple work fronts and is now over three quarters complete. The Woodside and Bechtel teams will now focus on executing the module integration and commissioning of the facility in preparation for the targeted first Scarborough LNG cargo in 2026.”

According to the operator, the Scarborough energy project is anticipated to contribute significantly to the Australian economy, generating more than A$50 billion ($31.3 billion) in direct and indirect tax payments.

Located 375 km off the Pilbara coast of Western Australia, Scarborough is expected to provide 3,000 jobs during the construction phase and create or sustain almost 600 jobs on average during operations while supplying reliable energy to Australia and the world.

Paul Marsden, Bechtel Energy’s President, remarked: “The remarkable success of the module program exemplifies the robust relationship forged between Woodside and Bechtel on the Pluto Train 2 project. This achievement reflects our shared vision and the unwavering dedication of our project team to cultivate a One Team culture.”

Woodside’s Scarborough gas field in the Carnarvon Basin will be developed through new offshore facilities connected by an approximately 430 km pipeline to a second LNG train at the existing Pluto LNG onshore facility. Both Saipem and Boskalis have worked on the pipeline project.

The Scarborough project involves the installation of a floating production unit (FPU) with eight wells drilled in the initial phase and thirteen wells drilled over the life of the gas field. All wells will be tied back to a semi-submersible FPU moored in 950 m of water close to the Scarborough field.

Thanks to the final investment decision (FID) in November 2021, around 5 million tons per annum (mtpa) of Scarborough gas will be processed through Pluto Train 2, with up to 3 mtpa processed through the existing Pluto Train 1. Woodside is the Pluto Train 2 joint venture operator and holds a 51% participating interest.

The Australian energy heavyweight recently secured environmental approval for the North West Shelf (NWS) project extension from the Western Australian government a few days ago, restarting the federal environmental approvals process.

This is perceived to be the key to advancing the firm’s $30 billion Browse gas project. If the federal approval comes in, this will extend the Karratha gas plant’s life to 2070.