Japan’s Inpex Corporation is eyeing expansion of its Australian assets which could also include further acquisitions.
Speaking to Reuters, Inpex’s Australian head Hitoshi Okawa said that the company’s focus in on utilizing Ichthys LNG facilities to their full potential while creating a base for future expansion.
The $45 billion LNG project was completed last year and is edging closer to full production capacity of 8.9 million tons per year, with Okawa saying the ramp-up is progressing well.
Initially, Inpex aimed to reach full production capacity within two to three years following the start-up.
So far, the company has dispatched 78 cargoes of liquefied natural gas, 18 cargoes of LPG and 36 condensate cargoes, Okawa said.
The facility currently has two LNG trains but there is potential to add further two liquefaction trains to the plant and its pipeline connecting the Ichthys field to the facilities in Darwin has five tie in points for new resources.
Some of these resources could be acquired as Okawa noted that the company could purchase a stake in PTT Exploration and Production’s Cash maple gas field off Australia.
LNG World News Staff