Leighton Wins APLNG Work (Australia)

Australia Pacific LNG has awarded Leighton Contractors two major multi-million dollar contracts to build key gas and water infrastructure as part of the project’s first phase of coal seam gas (CSG) development.

Combined, the contracts are worth $800 million and will create almost 1,000 direct construction jobs.

Australia Pacific LNG Chairman and Origin Managing Director Grant King said the announcement was evidence of the continued momentum of the Australia Pacific LNG project.

“Australia Pacific LNG continues to meet major milestones in the development of our CSG to LNG project. The awarding of these contracts represents a significant investment and will create jobs, as well as generate considerable flow-on benefits throughout the Queensland economy,” Mr King said.

Australia Pacific LNG CEO Page Maxson said the commencement of these key infrastructure construction contracts would play an important role in ensuring the delivery of first gas in 2015.

“Leighton Contractors is a leading Australian business and has experience in delivering the skilled workforce required for major infrastructure projects,” Mr Maxson said.

Leighton Contractors Executive General Manager Mike Metcalfe said the company was proud to be involved in the delivery of important infrastructure for the project.

“We look forward to bringing our world class gas and infrastructure capabilities to a world class CSG to LNG project.

“We will also work hard to ensure local businesses and communities across the gas fields are able to experience and benefit from the opportunities major contracts like this present,” Mr Metcalfe said.

The contracts will involve the construction of gathering systems which collect the water and gas produced from individual wells for processing, and the construction of water treatment facilities.

The $450 million gas gathering contract will see more than 1,200km of poly welded pipeline, 1,700km of fibre optic and power cabling, and well head equipment installed across the Condabri gas field developments, south of Miles and further Talinga development near Chinchilla.

Construction will commence immediately, with completion scheduled for mid 2015. At peak, this is expected to create around 375 jobs.

The $350 million water treatment contract will involve the construction of two treatment facilities, storage ponds and related civil works at the Condabri and Reedy Creek gas field developments.

Construction will commence in mid 2012 with completion in late 2013, resulting in the creation of around 580 jobs.

In February this year, Leighton Contractors was also awarded a multi-million dollar contract to construct and install a 2,600-bed temporary workers accommodation village at the Australia Pacific LNG project site on Curtis Island near Gladstone.

The Australia Pacific LNG Project will generate significant benefits at regional, state and national levels.

The Project will create approximately 6,000 direct jobs during the peak construction phase which includes the gas fields, gas pipeline and LNG facility. It will also create 1,000 jobs during the operation of the Project.

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LNG World News Staff, May 10, 2012