The scope of works will include the construction of nine holes using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to be located approximately 400 m offshore. The trenchless technique was chosen to minimise the environmental impact to the area during construction.
AJ Lucas has said it will order two new rigs, which will be sound-proofed to reduce any impact on the local fauna and marine life.
AJ Lucas Chief Executive Officer Allan Campbell said “Lucas prides itself on its HDD capability to minimise any environmental footprint. Our commitment to achieving this is reflected in our ordering of two totally new rigs to minimise the risk of any contamination.”
Engineering work is already underway, and site works are expected to begin in May 2010.
The Gorgon LNG Development is a joint venture between Chevron as operator, ExxonMobil and Shell, and involves the installation of a subsea gathering system and pipelines from the Gorgon and Io/Jansz fields to Barrow Island. Three 5 MMt/a LNG trains, to be located on the central-east coast of Barrow Island, will process the gas. LNG will then be shipped to international markets while domestic gas will be delivered via a 90 km subsea pipeline to the Western Australian mainland, interconnecting with the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.
