Chevron evacuates workers, halts production after Gorgon gas leak

Chevron has reportedly experienced a gas leak at its Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project on Barrow Island off the northwest coast of Western Australia that lead to an evacuation of workers and suspension of production. 

The Gorgon project is supplied from the Gorgon and Jansz-Io gas fields, located within the Greater Gorgon area, between 80 miles (130 km) and 136 miles (220 km) off the northwest coast of Western Australia.

According to Reuters, Chevron evacuated the workers after a ‘minor gas leak’ and there were no injuries related to the incident.

The news agency also said that even though the production was suspended the company remained on track to make a second shipment in coming days.

Offshore Energy Today reached out to Chevron seeking further details on the incident. The company was not immediately available for comment.

Chevron started producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and condensate at the Gorgon project in early March 2016 and sent the first shipment soon after, on March 21, in the LNG tanker Asia Excellence. The project was shutdown for a while in April after the company experienced mechanical problems.

The Chevron-operated project is a joint venture between the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47.3%), ExxonMobil (25%), Shell (25%), Osaka Gas (1.25%), Tokyo Gas (1%) and Chubu Electric Power (0.417%).

Offshore Energy Today Staff