Australia: Pluto LNG Project Wins Engineering Award

Woodside’s Pluto LNG Project has received Australia’s highest honour in engineering, the Sir William Hudson Award presented by Snowy Hydro Ltd. The award was conferred at the 2012 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards; an annual event held in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra.

Located at Karratha, Western Australia, the project pipes natural gas from a platform in the Indian Ocean 190 km to a new Liquefied Natural Gas Plant located onshore on the Burrup Peninsula.

“The converted gas in liquid form allows for more efficient transportation to markets around the world, contributing significantly to WA and Australia’s economic and social well-being,” said Mr Ian Pedersen, Chair of the National Engineering Excellence Awards National Judging Panel for Engineers Australia.

“The Pluto LNG Project –operated by Woodside in joint venture with Tokyo Gas and Kansai Electric– demonstrates robust planning and practical engineering solutions for the duration of its 7-year implementation. A fine integration of engineering with community consultation and consideration for the environment has been exhibited throughout project delivery.

“During site preparation for the project, 170 boulders with Indigenous engravings were relocated without damage under guidance of archaeologists and local Indigenous representatives. The remaining 92% of rock art in the Pluto lease area remains undisturbed and Woodside has built strong community partnerships with local Aboriginal groups to ensure that cultural heritage is maintained.

“The project is considered one of the world’s most environmentally friendly LNG plants, delivering the largest marine monitoring program of its kind in WA while minimising the impact of dredging activity.

“Woodside invested $100 million on a program with CO2 Australia to offset carbon emissions from Pluto’s reservoir. CO2 Australia, on behalf of Woodside, will establish and manage mallee eucalypt plantings in New South Wales and WA. This positions the Project as Australia’s largest commercial emissions offset program based on dedicated forest carbon sink plantings.

“The Pluto LNG Project has engaged every discipline of engineering and shows leadership in the design and production of offshore gas facilities for Australia, allowing us to compete in the global market. This project highlights the important contribution made by engineering professionals to the development of sustainable power and energy options to provide for future generations,” Mr Pedersen said.

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LNG World News Staff, November 21, 2012; Image: Woodside