Inpex ships first condensate cargo from Ichthys project

Japan’s Inpex has announced the departure of its first shipment of condensate from its operated Ichthys LNG Project in Australia. 

Inpex started production of gas from the wellhead at the Ichthys LNG Project at the end of July, following the completion of final safety verifications including additional verifications concerning electrical equipment.

The produced gas is gathered within the Central Processing Facility (Ichthys Explorer) where it’s separated into gases and liquids. After that, the liquids are piped to the nearby Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility Ichthys Venturer.

Inpex said on Monday, October 1 that the cargo departed from the project’s massive FPSO Ichthys Venturer, which is moored in the Browse Basin, some 220 kilometers (136 miles) off the northwest coast of Western Australia.

“Departure of the first condensate cargo from the Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG Project demonstrates our commitment to be a reliable, global energy supplier,” said Inpex President Director Australia, Seiya Ito.

“This shipment of condensate is destined for the Asian market and signifies an important step forward as we begin to generate revenue from a project we expect will operate for 40 years to come.”

Later this year, the Ichthys Project will start shipment of cargoes from Bladin Point near Darwin in Australia – with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports expected to follow in sequence.

At peak, the Ichthys LNG Project is expected to produce up to 8.9 million tonnes of LNG per annum; up to 1.65 million tonnes of LPG per annum; and up to 100,000 barrels of condensate per day.