Chevron’s Wheatstone Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project has just commenced production from their second train, located 12 kilometres west of Onslow. The Wheatstone Project is expected to produce roughly 8.9 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) over an estimated operational period of 30 years.

Chevron Australia currently operates five train LNG businesses and is Australia’s largest liquefaction owner. The Wheatstone Project is in motion to become Australia’s first third-party natural gas hub, with plans to enable the development of Western Australia’s natural offshore gas resources.

“With the Chevron-operated Wheatstone and Gorgon LNG facilities now operational, we are delivering a significant new source of energy for customers in the region, as well as contributing to significant levels of investment into the Australian economy,” said Chevron Australia’s Managing Director, Nigel Hearne.

The on-going developments of Chevron’s Wheatstone and Gorgon Projects have provided 1000 contracts to Australian companies and in that process, seen roughly 19,000 workers employed. Over $250 million has also been contributed to social and infrastructure projects in Onslow, such as upgraded community facilities, educational facilities, improvements to health services, roads and upgraded water and power infrastructure.

“[The] LNG production from Wheatstone train two is a testament to the collaboration of our partners, customers, contractors, governments, community, and the many thousands of people who worked to deliver this legacy asset. Working closely with our customers, we are committed to being a safe and reliable natural gas supplier for decades to come,” voiced Hearne on the project’s development.

The Wheatstone Project is a joint venture between Chevron, Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), Woodside Petroleum Limited, PE Wheatstone Pty Ltd (part owned by JERA) and Kyushu Electric Power Company.

The Wheatstone micro-tunnel also creates a shore-crossing for the 225km gas pipeline which starts behind the coastal dune system and terminates under the ocean floor.

According to Chevron, ‘(at full capacity), The Wheatstone Project’s two train LNG plant is expected to contribute around six per cent of the Asia Pacific region’s total future LNG production, delivering 8.9 MTPA of LNG for export to customers in Asia’. To put it into context, a single cargo of LNG from The Wheatstone Project has enough power to supply Japan for approximately nine hours.