Spotted: World’s Largest Semi-Sub Launched

South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in Geoje on September 19 floated off the world’s largest semi-submersible which will serve as a central processing facility (CPF) for the Ichthys LNG Project offshore Western Australia.

Once completed, the CPF will be towed 5,600 kilometers to the Ichthys Field in the Browse Basin where it will be permanently moored for the life of the project, expected to exceed 40 years.

“The operation was completed within two days in the safest conditions,” Louis Bonsaid, Managing Director of Ichthys LNG Project, said.

“The CPF is now berthed quayside at the shipyard where work is continuing to lift and install the living quarters and integrate and commission all equipment in preparation for the CPF’s sail away. All teams are working together in a very efficient manner to achieve our next targets.”

The Ichthys LNG Project is a project led by Inpex as the operator, Total, CPC Corporation Taiwan, Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, Kansai Electric, Chubu Electric Power, and Toho Gas.

The project involves liquefying natural gas lifted from the Ichthys Gas-condensate field offshore Western Australia at an onshore gas liquefaction plant constructed in Darwin, Northern Territory, and producing and shipping 8.9 million tons of LNG and 1.6 million tons of LPG per year, along with approximately 100,000 barrels of condensate per day at peak.