BP ships first LNG cargo from expanded Tangguh facility in Indonesia

UK-based energy giant BP has shipped the first LNG cargo produced by the new liquefaction train at the Tangguh LNG facility in Papua Barat, Indonesia, marking the start of full commercial operation of the expanded Tangguh LNG facility.

The LNG cargo produced by the new train sailed from Tangguh on October 18 to be delivered to Indonesia’s state-owned power generator PT PLN (Persero) in Arun.

Tangguh LNG has been in operation since 2009 and the start-up of Tangguh Train 3 will add 3.8 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG production capacity to the existing two-train facility, bringing total plant capacity to 11.4 mtpa.

In addition to the new train, the Tangguh expansion project included the construction of two offshore platforms, 13 new production wells, an LNG loading facility, and supporting infrastructure.

Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, BP’s EVP, Gas and Low Carbon Energy, said: “The safe and successful start-up of Train 3 marks a new phase for Tangguh and is a proud day for BP and our Tangguh partners. I would like to thank the Government of Indonesia for our strong partnership and their continued support that has made this possible.

“Tangguh is important both to BP and to Indonesia. It is expected to account for more than a third of the country’s gas production and make a significant contribution to meeting the country’s growing needs for reliable and affordable energy. For bp, building our gas and LNG business is central to our strategy as we transform to an integrated energy company, investing in today’s hydrocarbon energy system as well as growing new lower carbon businesses.”

The Tangguh expansion is the third major project start-up for BP globally in 2023, following start of production from the Mad Dog II project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and from the MJ field off the east coast of India.