The Scarborough Energy Project, a major natural gas development in Western Australia, has reached a significant milestone with the arrival of the first three modules for Pluto Train 2 in Karratha.
The modules, fabricated by Bechtel in Indonesia, weigh a combined total of more than 4,000 metric tonnes and are three of a total of 51 that will be shipped to site from the module yard to form Pluto Train 2.
Pluto Train 2 will be the second Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production train at the existing Pluto LNG onshore facility and will process gas from the offshore Scarborough development. The Scarborough field is located in the Carnarvon Basin, approximately 375 km off the Pilbara coast of Western Australia.
The Scarborough Energy Project will contribute significantly to the Australian economy and create thousands of job opportunities during its construction phase. It will also supply reliable energy to Australia and the world, support the energy transition and help neighbouring Asian countries take action on emissions reduction.
Woodside Energy, the operator of the project, has estimated that the Scarborough Energy Project will pay an estimated $19 billion in direct Australian taxes, boost GDP by billions of dollars, and generate more than 3,000 construction phase jobs in WA. Woodside has also committed to spend more than $90 million with Karratha business and support skills development and training for Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents in the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions.
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said the delivery of the first Pluto Train 2 module was a key milestone towards the delivery of the Scarborough Energy Project, which will help meet the growing demand for the low-cost, lower-carbon, reliable energy the world needs today and into the future.
“The safe and timely arrival of the module is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Woodside team and our lead contractor Bechtel. With the Scarborough Energy Project sitting at more than 55% complete, we are making significant progress across all scopes of work and look forward to receiving the remaining modules on site throughout 2024,” she said.
Paul Marsden, President of Bechtel Energy, said the achievement exemplified their unwavering commitment to safety, quality and collaboration.
“Fuelled by the passion to deliver excellence and foster sustainable practices, we are creating a lasting impact on the communities where we live and work. Our teams of extraordinary people, leveraging our global experience in delivering LNG projects, are instrumental in supporting the quality execution of the work on Pluto Train 2,” he said.
The Scarborough Energy Project is targeting first LNG cargo in 2026.
The following table summarizes some key facts and figures about the Scarborough Energy Project:
Project component | Description |
---|---|
Scarborough field | A natural gas resource in the Carnarvon Basin, approximately 375 km off the Pilbara coast of Western Australia |
Pluto Train 2 | The second LNG production train at the existing Pluto LNG onshore facility, with an LNG processing capacity of approximately 5 Mtpa |
Pluto Train 1 | The existing LNG production train at the Pluto LNG onshore facility, which will process up to 3 Mtpa of LNG from Scarborough’s lean gas after modifications |
Domestic gas infrastructure | Additional infrastructure at the Pluto LNG facility to increase domestic gas capacity to approximately 225 Terajoules per day |
Floating production unit (FPU) | A semi-submersible platform moored in approximately 900 metres of water close to the Scarborough field, which will receive gas from subsea wells and send it to the Pluto LNG facility via a 430 km pipeline |
Subsea wells | A number of high-rate gas wells drilled in the Scarborough and North Scarborough gas fields, tied back to the FPU |
Project operator | Woodside Energy, with a 100% participating interest in Scarborough and a 51% participating interest in Pluto Train 2 |
Project contractor | Bechtel, selected by Woodside Energy to execute the engineering, procurement, and construction of Pluto Train 2 |
Project cost | Estimated at $16 billion for the offshore development and $4.3 billion for the onshore expansion |
Project benefits | Estimated to pay $19 billion in direct Australian taxes, boost GDP by billions of dollars, generate more than 3,000 construction phase jobs in WA, and support the energy transition and emissions reduction |
Project status | More than 55% complete as of February 2024 |
Project target | First LNG cargo in 2026 |