Australia: Origin Energy Starts Production from Otway Gas Project

Origin Energy announced the commencement of production from Otway Gas Project’s newly developed Geographe gas field in Bass Strait following commissioning and testing.

Otway Gas Project consists of two offshore gas fields, Geographe and Thylacine, and an onshore gas processing facility near Port Campbell in south-west Victoria.

Development of the Geographe gas field, which commenced following Joint Venture approval in October 2011, comprised development well drilling and installing subsea facilities to connect Geographe to Otway Gas Project’s existing subsea pipeline. In addition, the project’s onshore facility, Otway Gas Plant, was upgraded to accommodate a 50 per cent increase in its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage capacity.

Origin Chief Executive Officer Upstream, Mr Paul Zealand said, “Since 2007, Otway Gas Project has played an important role in meeting southern Australia’s demand for natural gas, LPG and condensate.

“The development of Geographe enables gas production to Otway Gas Plant to be maintained, thereby ensuring the project continues to make a major contribution to Victoria’s energy security. Production from Otway Gas Plant is equivalent to 22 per cent of Victoria’s domestic gas demand.

“The commencement of production from Geographe also supports Origin’s other energy investments in the region including the State’s largest gas-fired power station at Mortlake as well as our position as one of Victoria’s largest energy retailers,” Mr Zealand said.

The Geographe gas field is located in Victorian coastal waters 55 kilometres south of Port Campbell and 15 kilometres north of the Thylacine offshore platform.