A gas project in Australia is one of seven major projects start-ups BP expects in 2017. Five of these seven projects have now started up.

The Persephone project in Australia follows the start-ups earlier this year of Juniper in Trinidad, the first phase of the West Nile Delta development in Egypt, the Trinidad Onshore Compression project and the Quad 204 redevelopment in the UK. A further two projects – the first phase of the Khazzan tight gas development in Oman and development of the Zohr gas field offshore Egypt – are expected to begin production before the end of the year.

Bob Dudley, BP group chief executive said: “This is a significant year for BP and, with five of our seven planned major projects now onstream, delivery of our plan is firmly on track. This year’s projects will deliver a key part of the 800,000 barrels equivalent a day production from new projects that we expect by the end of the decade. Importantly, these new projects, with their lower development costs and higher margins, also further improve BP’s resilience to the price environment.”

The Persephone project off the coast of Western Australia is operated by BP’s partner Woodside Energy and is part of the North West Shelf Project joint venture. The development comprises two subsea wells tied back to the existing North Rankin complex by a 7km flowline. Located about 140km north-west of Karratha, Western Australia in water depth of around 125 metres, at peak production the project is expected to produce around 48 mmscfd of gas net for BP. BP holds a 16.67% interest in Persephone.