In June 2014, Santos and GDF SUEZ abandoned their existing plans to develop the Bonaparte LNG Project, with the joint venture saying it will consider other potential development options – including a pipeline connection to Darwin – in addition to a floating LNG concept to develop the Petrel, Tern and Frigate natural gas fields.
As a result of this recent announcement, the floating LNG (FLNG) concept for the project will not be taken into front-end engineering and design (FEED), with the joint venture partners commenting that FLNG development does not meet the companies’ commercial requirements.
On the topic of a potential pipeline to Darwin, as raised by the Bonaparte joint venture participants, Mr van Holthe says the NT Government would encourage companies who operate in the Bonaparte Basin and in the North West Shelf to pipe gas to Darwin, as the Territory grows to become a major gas hub, particularly with the construction of INPEX’s onshore facility.
The NT government, like investors, contractors and suppliers, as well as the broader Australian gas industry will be awaiting a decision on Bonaparte’s future, and to see how the NT prospers as a new gas hub. Mr van Holthe believes the future for gas processing in the NT is very bright.
The Bonaparte LNG Project is a joint venture between GDF SUEZ (60 per cent and operator) and Santos (40 per cent), with the initial plans being to develop a 2 MMt/a floating liquefaction project 250 km off the coast of Darwin in the Bonaparte Basin, in the Timor Sea.
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