Australia: Arrow Awards Tunnel Design Contract for LNG Project

Arrow Energy has awarded the tender for the concept design of the tunnel that will transport CSG from Gladstone to the Arrow LNG Plant on Curtis Island. The 6km tunnel will have a 4m internal diameter, and house high pressure gas pipeline and other utility services.

The tunnel’s concept will be designed by the Brisbane office of leading global engineering consultancy, Arup. The company has extensive design experience in Queensland including the Kurilpa Bridge and Airport Link projects in Brisbane, and the development of a contingent water supply strategy in Gladstone.

Arrow Energy Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Faulkner said Arup would begin work immediately on the tunnel’s design and specifications.

“The tunnel will have a smaller footprint than if we were to construct a pipeline on the seafloor. There will be entrance and exit points, but no overwater construction,” Mr Faulkner said.

Excavated approximately 35m beneath the Gladstone Harbour seabed, the tunnel entrance will be located in Gladstone’s Yarwun area and the exit will be at Hamilton Point on the southern end of Curtis Island. The entire route runs through stable rock.

Arup will prepare concept design and tender documentation, which will lead to the tender process for the tunnel’s construction contract.

The tunnel to Curtis Island will be one of the longest offshore tunnels in Queensland and will take approximately three and a half years to build and fit out.

“Australia has a number of experienced tunnelling contractors so we are confident the tunnel will be built to the highest standard,” Mr Faulkner said.

[mappress]

LNG World News Staff, December 7, 2011