New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has appointed Australia’s Worley as the client engineer and technical advisor for the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal.
The project represents a critical pillar of New Zealand’s infrastructure strategy, aimed at securing a stable and flexible energy supply.
The LNG facility, anticipated to be established by 2027, is set to strengthen the country’s energy security and support economic growth. LNG will provide a reliable back-up fuel source to manage dry year risk, help stabilise electricity costs, and address New Zealand’s declining domestic gas supply. Access to LNG is also expected to deliver savings of up to NZ$265 million each year.
As the designated technical lead, Worley will provide end-to-end support throughout the procurement and delivery phases.
The scope of work involves shaping the project’s technical foundations, developing rigorous specifications, and ensuring the terminal aligns with international best practices.
To achieve this, Worley is deploying a “global-local” model. This approach integrates specialised engineering depth from hubs in Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom with New Zealand-based leadership.
This ensures that the project remains compliant with local environmental standards and community expectations.
Worley’s role is designed to provide MBIE with “decision-ready” technical assurance, helping to mitigate risks during the high-stakes execution and commissioning phases.
Francesco Piasentin, Project Manager and Director of Advisory APAC at Worley Consulting, highlighted the importance of precision in this partnership.
“MBIE has set a high bar for rigour and pace, and our role is to bring global LNG expertise together with strong New Zealand capability to support the programme’s objectives,” he said.
