World’s largest semi-submersible headed for Ichthys

The project also involves a 889 km, 1,070 mm diameter gas export pipeline, which runs from the Ichthys gas field to the onshore LNG processing facility located at Blaydin Point on the Middle Arm Peninsula, Darwin, which is set for completion before the end of 2015. Construction on the pipeline is being undertaken by Saipem Australia. Once work on the CPF is complete the huge structure, which measures 130 m tall, 120 m wide topside, will be towed 5,600 km to the Ichthys Field in the Browse Basin offshore Western Australia, where it will be permanently moored for the life of the project. The first CPF topside module weighed in at 3,600 t, with a combined weight of 71,000 t for the CPF topsides modules. Ichthys LNG Project Managing Director Louis Bon said the operation was completed within two days in safe conditions. “The CPF is now berthed quayside at the shipyard where work is continuing to lift and install the living quarters and integrate and commission all equipment in preparation for the CPF’s sail away,” Mr Bon said. “All teams are working together in a very efficient manner to achieve our next targets.” The Ichthys LNG Project is currently around 74 per cent complete, with the start-up date recently pushed back from December 2016 to the third calendar quarter of 2017. The project is a joint venture between INPEX (62.24 per cent, operator), major partner Total (30 per cent) and the Australian subsidiaries of Tokyo Gas (1.57 per cent), Osaka Gas (1.2 per cent), Chubu Electric Power (0.73 per cent) and Toho Gas (0.42 per cent).