Origin Energy and its partners have commenced liquefied natural gas (LNG) production from the second train at the $25bn Australia Pacific project, located in Curtis Island near Gladstone, Queensland.
The production start of second train represents the final major construction milestone for the Australia Pacific LNG, which is a joint venture project between ConocoPhillips with 37.5% stake, Origin Energy 37.5%, and Sinopec 25%.
Australia Pacific LNG CEO Page Maxson said the second train had produced 150,000 cubic meters of LNG which is equivalent to the volume required to fill an LNG ship.
“The second train is up and running, enabling our LNG Facility on Curtis Island to deliver commercial quantities of LNG at sustained output from both trains."
Production from the Australia Pacific LNG’s first train started in December 2015 while the first LNG cargo was exported in January 2016.
Maxson added: “We currently provide approximately 25% of domestic gas to the east coast market, with sufficient reserves to meet both LNG and domestic demand.”
Commissioned in 2015, the Australia Pacific project comprises two processing trains, each with production capacity of 4.5 million tons per annum (mpta).
Earlier, long-term LNG sales purchase agreements were are signed for the project with Sinopec for 7.6 mtpa per year and with Kansai Electric for approximately 1 mtpa per year for 20 years each.
The LNG facility comprises an inlet feed gas metering facility, gas processing systems, product storage tanks, temporary accommodation, mainland storage and marine facilities.
Image: The Australia Pacific project two trains each with production capacity of 4.5 mpta. Photo: courtesy of Origin Energy Limited.