Australia: Apache Shuts Van Gogh ahead of Cyclone

Reuters today reported that Apache has suspended production from its Van Gogh offshore field in Australia. The production has been suspended as a precautionary measure due to a cyclone threat.

The company has also evacuated non-essential offshore workers from drilling operations, according to Reuters.

In an e-mail sent to Reuters, Apache said it “is currently monitoring the development of the low pressure system off the coast of North West Australia and is evacuating non-essential personnel from its offshore drilling operations in the area.”

Van Gogh is Apache’s first field development utilizing a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The Ningaloo Vision FPSO has the capacity to process 150,000 barrels of liquids per day, including 63,000 barrels of oil per day, and store 540,000 barrels of oil. First oil from the field started flowing on February 16, 2010.

[mappress]
Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 25, 2012; Image: bom.gov.au