Australia Pacific LNG Chooses Biloela for Pipeline Operations and Maintenance Base

Australia Pacific LNG has selected Biloela as the home for its northern base for operations and maintenance of the Project pipeline, creating new opportunities for local business and employment.

Australia Pacific LNG has purchased four acres of land in the Biloela industrial estate, which will be developed into an office, warehouse, stores and operations facility.

Australia Pacific LNG Pipeline Project Manager, Graeme Hogarth said locating a long – term operations base in Biloela would provide greater control and efficiency for ongoing pipeline operation and maintenance activity.

“We’re pleased to be investing in Biloela and building our northern pipeline operations and maintenance centre here in the industrial estate,” Mr Hogarth said.

“The pipeline is a critical part of the Australia Pacific LNG Project infrastructure and Biloela is the ideal location for a centralised operations and maintenance base.

“We are working constructively with Banana Shire Council to ensure the benefits from the Australia Pacific LNG project flow through to Banana Shire communities.”

Banana Shire Mayor Cr Ron Carige said the construction of the new northern pipeline operations and maintenance centre is great news for the region.

“This is a very positive regional development as it will create employment for our local community and opportunities for regional suppliers and contractors,” Cr Carige said.

The new facility will be the northern base of operation and maintenance for the Australia Pacific LNG pipeline. It will comprise a warehouse and stores area for pipeline spare parts, an office designed to house permanent staff, and meeting and training rooms.

A joint venture between Origin, ConocoPhillips and Sinopec, Australia Pacific LNG is currently undertaking a major CSG to liquefied natural gas (LNG) project that will supply natural gas to both the domestic and international markets.

Construction of the Australia Pacific LNG pipeline is ongoing and is expected to be completed by early 2014.

The 530km pipeline will transport gas from Australia Pacific LNG’s gas fields in the Surat and Bowen basins with processing facilities on Curtis Island near Gladstone.

Pipeline welding and backfilling operations are well underway, with 76 kilometres of pipeline welded and 31 kilometres of pipeline buried and backfilled since construction began near Miles in September.

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LNG World News Staff, November 19, 2012; Image: APLNG