The next stage of development of INPEX’s Ichthys liquified natural gas (LNG) project has been approved by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).
NOPSEMA has permitted INPEX to undertake additional construction and installation activities within the WA-50-L licence, associated with the Ichthys LNG project.
The scope of works will be undertaken over a period of five years and includes the construction and installation of umbilicals, risers and flowlines (URF) infrastructure associated with the next stage of the Ichthys LNG Project.
The subsea production system will be expanded through the installation of a new gathering system and new infrastructure required to
connect new production wells to the existing gathering systems.
Other activities to be undertaken include survey activities, installation, mechanical completion, pre-commissioning and commissioning of URF infrastructure which will be connected to the existing subsea infrastructure and offshore facility.
Water depths at the proposed installation locations range between 235 and 275 metres. All subsea activities will involve remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) with onboard cameras to monitor and perform the installation activities.
The scope also includes for the potential for inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) of existing and proposed infrastructure in WA-50-L; however, the start date is subject to vessel availability, operational efficiencies and weather.
While a start date for the project is still pending, the commencement date is expected to be in the first quarter of 2021, with the exact timing for commencement and completion will be dependent upon approvals, vessel availability, operational efficiencies and weather conditions.
Ichthys is located within the Browse Basin in Commonwealth waters within Western Australia, approximately 230 km north-west of the Kimberley coastline.
