PNG LNG Project on Track

The year 2012 has seen the PNG LNG Project reach numerous construction milestones, including the completion of all 120 pipe rack modules on the LNG jetty.

The LNG jetty is 2.4 kilometres long and is the station for vessels loading LNG once production starts.

The third quarter 2012 PNG LNG Quarterly Environmental and Social Report, released this week, details the many construction milestones achieved in recent months, demonstrating that the Project is on track to meet its 2014 start-up target.

In addition to the jetty, drilling work started at Hides Wellpad B, located at Hides in the Hela province of Papua New Guinea.

Other key achievements include the completion of the twelfth and final inner shell tank ring on the north LNG tank, the primary steel installation on the LNG Train 1, and completion of the LNG Train 2 main pipe rack steel works. All 260 heavy lifts at the LNG Plant site – with some single lifts weighing more than 540 tonnes – are also complete.

At the Komo Airfield, the first asphalt was laid for the runway, while earthworks for the Hides Gas Conditioning Plant were completed. At the same time, construction of the 700-kilometre LNG pipeline advanced with 60 percent of the main onshore pipeline welded, and hydrotesting and drying was completed for the entire offshore pipeline.

“The significant progress and completion of major construction activities on the PNG LNG Project is helping to ensure the Project remains on track to deliver the first LNG shipments in 2014,” PNG LNG Project Executive, Decie Autin said.

“While construction teams are working diligently to deliver on their targets, the Project’s number one priority remains on promoting a strong safety culture across all worksites.”

Ms Autin said that, as the Project progressed through the construction phase, the focus was also on building opportunities for local communities.

For example, by the end of the third quarter 2012, almost 19,600 people were engaged on Project activities, including more than 9000 Papua New Guineans. Landowner companies continue to supply around 70 percent of the Papua New Guinean workforce.

To date, more than 10,000 Papua New Guineans have completed Project-provided training which has been delivered through 6,000 courses. This training not only prepares Papua New Guinean citizens for roles with the Project, but also provides the skills and qualifications for other domestic and international opportunities. Training is also being provided to people in the project communities in the areas of business development, fisheries, and personal viability.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, November 30, 2012; Image: Santos