Following the completion of a scheduled shutdown work program at the Orbost Gas Processing Plant in Victoria, operations have now been resumed.
The commissioning of the Orbost Gas Processing Plant, owned and operated by APA Group, also meant the supply of gas from Cooper Energy’s Sole gas field into the Eastern Gas Pipeline could recommence.
Ongoing commissioning plans are to achieve a progressive, sustained increase in output rates whilst maintaining stable plant operation.
It is intended this be achieved gradually through a series of step changes whereby production rates are increased, then maintained whilst plant operation is monitored and assessed prior to proceeding to the next increment, with the ultimate target being 68 terajoules per day (TJ/day).
The plant is currently in the initial phase of this program, having maintained stable production rates equivalent to 28 TJ/day.
It is intended further update on the outcome of the commissioning program will be provided on completion or as material developments occur.
Completion of plant commissioning has also enabled the commencement of the field’s term supply contracts, and commencement of processing tariff payments by Cooper Energy to APA Group.
The gas plant has proven its capability to produce sales specification gas from the Sole raw gas stream. A total of 0.8 petajoules of gas from Sole has been processed and supplied into the Eastern Gas Pipeline up to 21 May 2020 (inclusive).
APA, its technology provider and Cooper Energy have been working collaboratively to improve plant performance to the level required for commissioning to be completed. This work included a shutdown of the gas plant from 9 May to permit inspection, conduct maintenance and complete minor modifications within the sulphur recovery unit.
