Production from the plant marks the completion of the $5.5 billion Kipper Tuna Turrum development – the largest domestic gas project on the Australia’s eastern seaboard – and will supply 1.6 Tcf of gas to eastern Australia.
“This milestone, made possible with our Australian workforce and the support of our joint venture partners, ensures the continued supply of gas to the east coast market from our Gippsland Basin operations,” said ExxonMobil Australia Chairman Richard Owen.
“The gas conditioning plant helps maintain current gas supply levels from Bass Strait, which has been producing for more than 40 years and providing energy to power the economy.”
The development has made a significant contribution to the local economy with Australian labour, materials and equipment comprising approximately 70 per cent of total project spending.
Construction on the plant generated more than 800 direct jobs, with 90 per cent of the workforce from Victoria’s Gippsland region.
The Longford Gas Conditioning Plant has been developed as part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture in which Esso Australia (operator) and BHP Billiton each have a 50 per cent interest.
The Turrum and Tuna developments are also part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture, while the Kipper joint venture participant are Esso Australia (32.5 per cent and operator), BHP Billiton (32.5 per cent) and Mitsui E&P Australia (35 per cent).
