Milestones reached on LNG project, says Botten

A NUMBER of construction milestones were reached on the PNG LNG project during the second quarter of this year, according to Oil Search managing director Peter Botten.
He said in the company’s June quarterly report to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on Monday that these included laying of the 407km offshore pipeline, which was successfully completed, and the deep water pipelay vessel demobilised. “At the PNG LNG plant site, the roofs of both LNG storage tanks were raised, the train 1 propane compressors were set onto the foundations and the jetty trestle construction was completed,” Botten said.“By the end of the quarter, most of the steelwork for trains 1 and 2 had been erected. “Installation of the pipe racks, pipe and heavy equipment on the process trains had also commenced.    “Route clearance and stringing of the onshore pipeline reached Kutubu during the quarter, with over 180km of the onshore pipeline welded, trenched and buried as at the end of June. 
“Installation of the central processing facility and PNG LNG project interface equipment continued, as part of the Oil Search-operated Associated Gas Project. 
“The oil fields remain on track to begin delivery of commissioning gas to the project in the second quarter of next year.”Botten said earthmoving activities at the Komo airfield continued to make good progress and pavement trials began. “A contract for the Antonov heavy lift aircraft, which will transport the major heavy items of equipment for the Hides gas conditioning plant (HGCP) construction to site, was awarded,” he said.“At the HGCP, the process area was handed to the construction contractor who began installation of structural steel and underground piping.
“Mobilisation and commissioning of rig 702, the first of the two new drill rigs, was ongoing during the quarter. “The first Hides well is planned to begin drilling soon.” 
“The second rig — rig 703 — is being mobilised to Hides, with drilling expected to begin later in the year.”