The US$2.1 billion train has started producing LNG, and is expected to increase the joint venture’s export capacity by up to 4.4 million tonnes of LNG annually to 16.3 million tonnes.
The project was recently expanded that included a jetty extension and second LNG loading berth, two additional power generation units, a third LPG fractionation unit, a new fuel gas compressor, an acid gas removal unit and a third boil off gas compressor.
Chevron and its five partners each hold a one-sixth interest in the joint venture. The other participants include BHP Billiton (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd, BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd, Shell Development (Australia) Proprietary Ltd, and operator Woodside Energy Ltd. China’s CNOOC NWS Private Limited is also part of the venture but does not have an interest in its infrastructure.
Jim Blackwell, President of Chevron’s Asia Pacific Exploration and Production Company, said:
“The North West Shelf project is one of the largest in the world. The addition of a fifth LNG train demonstrates Chevron’s commitment to expanding its global natural gas business. LNG continues to be a major focus of Chevron’s gas commercialisation strategy. Over the next decade, we expect natural gas production to grow as a proportion of Chevron’s total production.”
Roy Krzywosinski, managing director of Chevron Australia, said: “Chevron continues to make significant multi-million dollar investments to expand our Australian operations. We are proud to be a part of the North West Shelf Venture that has played an important role in providing clean and reliable energy to Western Australia and the Asia Pacific market for 20 years.”
Through its Australian subsidiary, Chevron has been present in Australia for more than 50 years. It operates the planned Gorgon and Wheatstone Projects, the Barrow Island and Thevenard Island oilfields and is a foundation partner in the North West Shelf Venture (natural gas, crude oil and condensate) and in the Browse LNG development. Chevron Australia is a significant investor in offshore north-western Australia exploration, one of Chevron’s four global focus areas for exploration.