WATCH: As three modules for Woodside’s giant gas project come to Australia, first LNG cargo on track for 2026

Australian energy giant Woodside has tucked a new milestone under its belt for its gas project off the coast of Western Australia with the arrival of the first three Pluto Train 2 modules in Karratha. Fabricated by Bechtel Corporation in Indonesia, these modules weigh over 4,000 tons – equivalent to the weight of 30 houses. The first LNG cargo is still targeted for 2026.

Woodside sees the arrival of the first three Pluto Train 2 modules for the Scarborough energy project as “a significant milestone.” These modules are three of a total of 51 that will be shipped to the site from the module yard to form Pluto Train 2, which will be the second liquefied natural gas (LNG) production train at the existing Pluto LNG onshore facility.

Located approximately 375 km off the coast of Western Australia, the Scarborough field’s development will include installing a floating production unit with eight wells drilled in the initial phase and thirteen wells drilled over the life of the field. The gas from the Scarborough field will be processed at the Pluto LNG facility, where the company is constructing Pluto Train 2.

Woodside is the Pluto Train 2 joint venture operator and holds a 51% participating interest. The reservoir contains less than 0.1% carbon dioxide and the gas will be transported for processing at Pluto LNG through a new trunkline of approximately 430 km. The final investment decision was made in November 2021.

Bechtel was selected by Woodside to execute the engineering, procurement, and construction of Pluto Train 2, with construction activities beginning in November 2021. This project will have an LNG processing capacity of approximately 5 million tons per annum (Mtpa). Additional domestic gas infrastructure will be installed at the Pluto LNG facility to increase domestic gas capacity to approximately 225 Terajoules per day.

Paul Marsden, President of Bechtel Energy, commented: “This achievement exemplifies our unwavering commitment to safety, quality and collaboration. Fuelled by the passion to deliver excellence and foster sustainable practices, we are creating a lasting impact on the communities where we live and work. Our teams of extraordinary people, leveraging our global experience in delivering LNG projects, are instrumental in supporting the quality execution of the work on Pluto Train 2.”

Following modifications to accommodate Scarborough’s lean gas, up to 3 Mtpa of LNG will be processed at the existing Pluto Train 1. KBR was awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) management contract in September 2023 to undertake modifications to Train 1 of Woodside’s Pluto LNG facility, located near Karratha, Western Australia.

While highlighting that the delivery of the first Pluto Train 2 modules was a key milestone towards the delivery of Scarborough, which would help meet the growing demand for “the low-cost, lower-carbon, reliable energy the world needs today and into the future,” Meg O’Neill, Woodside CEO, underlined: “The safe and timely arrival of the module is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Woodside team and our lead contractor Bechtel.

“With the Scarborough Energy Project sitting at more than 55% complete, we are making significant progress across all scopes of work and look forward to receiving the remaining modules on site throughout 2024.”

According to the Australian giant, the Scarborough energy project will contribute significantly to the Australian economy and create thousands of job opportunities during its construction phase.

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