INPEX CORPORATION (INPEX) announced that the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project commenced gas export pipeline (GEP) installation works, following the earlier arrival of the Saipem-operated, semi-submersible pipelay barge SEMAC-1 in the Northern Territory. The project’s 889km GEP will connect the onshore processing facilities near Darwin to the Ichthys gas-condensate field in the Browse Basin, offshore Western Australia.
Managing Director Ichthys LNG Project Louis Bon said that the SEMAC-1 had officially started the 164km shallow water pipelay component of the GEP installation, which includes laying the first 18km section of 42” diameter pipe through Darwin Harbour. Working from east to west in Darwin Harbour, the SEMAC-1 will first feed pipe to the Project’s landfall site for a 3km shore-pull. This work supports the onshore component of the GEP, which will stretch about 7km from the beach valve at Middle Arm to the Bladin Point onshore processing facilities.
The SEMAC-1 is scheduled to be in Darwin Harbour for about four weeks. In total, the 164km shallow water pipelay installation is scheduled to take about 80 days. Once completed, the SEMAC-1 will transfer work to Saipem’s deepwater installation vessel, Castorone, which will lay the remaining 718km of pipe to the Ichthys gas-condensate field.
