Australian Oil and Gas Projects Overview 2011

Of the 75 projects listed as advanced by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics (ABARE), 41 are in the energy sector.  An advanced project is one which has already commenced construction or has been approved to commence construction.

Of the 75 projects across the total Australian Resource Sector, 67 are already under construction (with 30 of these still underway this year and in 2012) and eight are still to start, but will do so within the next three years.

In addition, there are 286 less advanced projects identified by ABARE which cite an operational date, but not a construction start date – but most are slated to commence production in the period 2012 to 2020.

Together the total number of new jobs anticipated for the combined sectors for the period 2011 to 2015 includes 45,000 in construction, 61,500 in mining operations and 3,200 in oil and gas operations.

Currently there are only a few projects underway in states like New South Wales, Northern Territory and South Australia, but this looks to dramatically change going forward.  The locations where some projects are currently drawing labour from – or anticipate drawing labour from – may change once increased opportunities present in home locations for employees and candidates.

The National Resource Skills Taskforce analysis released in 2010 shows: 

• Construction jobs on new projects could peak at 45,000 in 2012 and 2013, with strong jobs growth for technicians and tradespeople, and machinery operators and drivers.
• In LNG operations, pending the number of LNG trains constructed by 2015, employment could increase by around 3,200 (eg if four new trains are sanctioned and operating in Queensland and six in Western Australia).  There will be strong jobs growth for drillers (Queensland only), operators, electrical trades and mechanical technicians.
• Replacement demand in gas operations could be around 2,000 persons per annum, including approximately 500 retirements.

The report cites emerging shortages at present—mainly engineers and other professional staff with more than five years experience.

At the time of release, the report claimed there was a significant number of unemployed tradespeople.  However, the Taskforce expects labour market tightening will result in skills shortages by late 2011 to early 2012, particularly in Western Australia and some regions of Queensland. As a result, the resources sector could be 36,000 tradespeople short by 2015.

Each year, we provide an update on major mining, oil and gas projects which are already under construction, or are considered to have a strong likelihood of being approved.  The list is not exhaustive, but does provide those working in the industry, or considering working in the industry, with an insight into career opportunities - where they are located and timeframes.

Unless otherwise stated, all dollar figures in the blogs are in Australian dollars.  All information has been attained and extensively researched from current public sources and is true and correct to our best knowledge at this time

Gorgon LNG Project - Facts and Figures

GORGON LNG PROJECT

Industry  Oil & Gas (LNG)

Project value  $43 Bn

Project owner  Chevron

Project management  Chevron 47% Exxon Mobil 25% Shell 25% Osaka Gas 1.25% Tokyo Gas 1% Chubu Power Company 0.417%

Construction Period  Final Investment Decision Granted Sept 2009 Expected First Gas 2014

Predicted employment numbers  10,000 Jobs at peak construction

Project Status  Construction Phase Upstream & Down Stream. Ongoing continued work on the construction phase both Upstream & Down Stream to ensure first gas 2014

Project Information

The Gorgon project is Australia's largest single natural gas project. This project plans to develop the Greater Gorgon gas fields, located approximately 130km off North West WA. The Greater Gorgon gas fields contain resources of about 40 trillion cubic feet of gas, Australia's largest known gas resource with an estimated development life of 60 years.

Gorgon will create a vast number of direct and indirect jobs approximately 10,000 throughout Western Australia from Freemantle to Barrow Island. The project has already committed more than $10 billion to Australian industry and is expected to spend a further $20 billion on Australian good and services over the next 4 to 5 years all this helping to boost the local economy.

Gas will be processed at a state of the art onshore facility located on Barrow Island 56km off the north west coast of WA. The gas plant on the island will include 3 LNG Trains capable of producing 15 million tonnes Per annum. A purpose built LNG loading jetty will also be constructed and see approximately three LNG shipments leave the island each week.

The project will also have a domestic gas phase which will produce up to 300 terajoules per day this being a major component of the foundation project. This gas will be transported via a domestic gas pipeline which will run from Barrow Island to a tie in with the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline.

This project had to go through a rigorous environmental assessment before receiving final development approval, with unique fauna on Barrow Island and nearby coral to be protected under certain provisions.

The joint venture partners on the project will also spend in excess of $2 billion on reducing carbon emissions from the gas operations, which will see carbon dioxide injected into a reservoir 2000 metres below Barrow Island. Supply deals worth billions have already been signed with companies in China, India, Japan and South Korea.

JobContax Jobs on the Gorgon Project

Gorgon Project Senior Civils Project Engineers Jobs

Gorgon Project Site Supervisor Jobs

Gorgon Project Construction Foreman Jobs

Gorgon Project Site Manager Jobs

Gorgon Project Project Engineer Jobs

Gorgon Project Project Engineer Precast Jobs

[googlemaps http://maps.google.ie/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=208422676198052454594.0004ab3dc0f8213f33466&ie=UTF8&ll=-24.926295,122.255859&spn=15.083313,32.319031&t=h&vpsrc=6&output=embed&w=550&h=350]

Gorgon Project Site Safety Advisor Jobs

Gorgon Project Job Interviews | London Aug 26/27 | Dublin Aug 28/29/30

Construction and Engineering Jobs in Australia

JobContax in association with our Australian partners are currently recruiting for a number of large civils projects in Australia. We are currently looking for Project Engineers and Construction Supervisors to work on the $43 Billion  Gorgon LNG Project. The Australian contractor is flying over to conduct interviews in London on August 26/27 and in Dublin on August 28-30. Visit our Gorgon Project Jobs page for full job details.

All roles come with excellent packages including relocation costs and employer sponsored family Australian 457 visas. These positions represent a fantastic opportunity to progress your career and gain large project experience. For more information on Australian 457 Visas and the Gorgon Project click the links below:

Gorgon LNG Project information         

 Australian 457 Visa information

To be considered for interview, apply through our website, www.jobcontax.com, for the job or jobs which you feel you are qualified for and one of our consultants will contact you and explain the interview process in detail.

Contact Details

Website: www.jobcontax.com
   E-Mail:  info@jobcontax.com
   Skype:   JobContax
   Phone: 353-1-7978720

        

Australia Pacific LNG project approved

Australia Pacific LNG - one of Australia’s largest LNG export projects, comprising world-class coal seam gas resources and a LNG facility on Curtis Island off Gladstone in Queensland – has been approved for development. The Final Investment Decision is to proceed with the initial construction of one train and common facilities for a two train development.

The project’s first LNG exports are scheduled to start in mid 2015, and are underpinned by a 4.3mtpa sale and purchase agreement with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.). The approval of the second LNG train is expected in time to enable its start up in early 2016.

Early site works for the project, including mobilisation on Curtis Island have commenced and long lead items have been ordered to maintain the project schedule. Australia Pacific LNG, a 50-50 joint venture between ConocoPhillips and Origin Energy, already employs 1,600 people, mostly in Queensland, and will create 6,000 construction jobs and 1,000 operational jobs for the ongoing operation of the project. The project consists of the further development of the APLNG’s CSG fields, a gas transmission pipeline to the Queensland coast and a gas processing plant and associated facilities where the gas will be cooled and liquefied for shipping overseas.   Origin will be responsible for the development and management of the CSG facilities including the gas fields and pipeline and ConocoPhillips will be responsible for the construction and management of the LNG plant.

The gas fields and pipeline components of the project will generate a peak workforce of approximately 3,000 workers during the development and construction phase and approximately 1,000 during the operational phase.  The LNG facility component of the project will generate a peak workforce of approximately 2,100 workers during the construction phase.  A workforce of around 100 is estimated to be required to operate the first LNG train at the LNG facility, with around 75 further people required for each additional train.

Browse LNG - Woodside signs land deal for Browse LNG Project

Woodside announced that a Native Title Agreement has been executed to enable the establishment of the Browse LNG Precinct near James Price Point, 60 km north of Broome in Western Australia. The Agreement, between Woodside, the State of Western Australia and the Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabirr native title claim group, secures the land required for the State Government’s LNG Precinct and provides a significant package of benefits and initiatives for Indigenous people in the Kimberley.

The initiatives in the Agreement are worth in excess of A$1 billion over the life of the precinct and have the potential to enact meaningful and positive change to the economic and social circumstances of Indigenous people in the Kimberley. Woodside’s commitments include the implementation of ongoing education, training and employment initiatives, Indigenous job targets, support for Indigenous businesses, cultural initiatives and payments upon project milestones being met, including a final investment decision.

The Agreement also recognises the importance of the area to the Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabirr native title claimants and underscores Woodside’s commitment to an environmentally, socially and culturally responsible LNG development. The execution of the Agreement is the culmination of more than two years of negotiations following a Heads of Agreement signed in April 2009 and is a significant milestone for the proposed Browse LNG Precinct.

Woodside acknowledges the commitment of the Goolarabooloo and Jabirr Jabirr people, the Kimberley Land Council, and the Government of Western Australia in securing this agreement. Woodside was appointed as a foundation proponent for the precinct under a Preliminary Development Agreement signed with the State in October 2009. Woodside is the major equity holder in the proposed Browse LNG Development which aims to commercialise the Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa gas and condensate fields in the Browse Basin, 425km off the Kimberley coast. The proposed development includes offshore extraction and production facilities, pipelines to shore, onshore LNG and condensate production facilities, and associated export infrastructure at the Browse LNG Precinct.

Oil & Gas - LNG Projects in Australia

Of the 75 projects listed as advanced by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics (ABARE), 41 are in the energy sector.  An advanced project is one which has already commenced construction or has been approved to commence construction. Of the 75 projects across the total Australian Resource Sector, 67 are already under construction (with 30 of these still underway this year and in 2012) and eight are still to start, but will do so within the next three years. In addition, there are 286 less advanced projects identified by ABARE which cite an operational date, but not a construction start date – but most are slated to commence production in the period 2012 to 2020.

Together the total number of new jobs anticipated for the combined sectors for the period 2011 to 2015 includes 45,000 in construction, 61,500 in mining operations and 3,200 in oil and gas operations. Currently there are only a few projects underway in states like New South Wales, Northern Territory and South Australia, but this looks to dramatically change going forward.  The locations where some projects are currently drawing labour from – or anticipate drawing labour from – may change once increased opportunities present in home locations for employees and candidates.

The National Resource Skills Taskforce analysis released in 2010 shows: 

• Construction jobs on new projects could peak at 45,000 in 2012 and 2013, with strong jobs growth for technicians and tradespeople, and machinery operators and drivers.


• In LNG operations, pending the number of LNG trains constructed by 2015, employment could increase by around 3,200 (eg if four new trains are sanctioned and operating in Queensland and six in Western Australia).  There will be strong jobs growth for drillers (Queensland only), operators, electrical trades and mechanical technicians.


• Replacement demand in gas operations could be around 2,000 persons per annum, including approximately 500 retirements.

The report cites emerging shortages at present—mainly engineers and other professional staff with more than five years experience.

At the time of release, the report claimed there was a significant number of unemployed tradespeople.  However, the Taskforce expects labour market tightening will result in skills shortages by late 2011 to early 2012, particularly in Western Australia and some regions of Queensland. As a result, the resources sector could be 36,000 tradespeople short by 2015.

Each year, we provide an update on major mining, oil and gas projects which are already under construction, or are considered to have a strong likelihood of being approved.  The list is not exhaustive, but does provide those working in the industry, or considering working in the industry, with an insight into career opportunities - where they are located and timeframes. Unless otherwise stated, all dollar figures in the blogs are in Australian dollars.  All information has been attained and extensively researched from current public sources and is true and correct to our best knowledge at this time.   Projects are listed in alphabetical order by project name within each blog.

 

Chevron's Wheatstone LNG project to generate 6500 jobs

CHEVRON'S planned $30 billion Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project is expected to begin within months after the West Australian Environmental Protection Authority approved the development today. But the EPA recommended the US energy giant take significant measures to reduce the unusually high level of carbon emissions from the project, which is to be built near Onslow in WA’s Pilbara region.

Emissions from the project would increase Australia’s greenhouse-gas emission levels by 1.7 per cent, over 2006-07 readings, and WA’s levels by 13.5 per cent. The project would emit 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. The EPA’s report will be sent to WA Environment Minister Bill Marmion for final approval. Approval is also required from federal Environment Minister Tony Burke. “The EPA has assessed the proposal for the Wheatstone development and believes that the proposal can be implemented with appropriate management to limit environmental impacts to an acceptable level,” the EPA report said.

 Chevron’s Australian operations head, Roy Krzywosinski, said last month that work on Wheatstone should begin before the end of the year; the project will generate 6500 direct jobs at peak construction and $21bn in government revenue. Mr Krzywosinski said the project was entering the "final stages" of approvals and would follow the company’s $43bn Gorgon LNG project being built on Barrow Island. "The Wheatstone project, the younger sibling, which seems to live in the shadow of Gorgon, will soon be stepping out into the light as a major capital project in its own right," he said.

The EPA recommended today that Chevron put in place a greenhouse-gas abatement program and offset the emissions of carbon dioxide from Wheatstone. Chevron’s proposed lack of greenhouse-gas mitigation measures were deemed unacceptable by the Conservation Council of WA and the Wilderness Society considered, the report said. The EPA said that if commonwealth legislation on reducing carbon emissions came into force, Chevron may not need to implement an abatement program.

The first phase of the Wheatstone project will have a combined capacity of 8.9mt per annum and first LNG shipments are planned for 2016.

Prelude floating LNG project

Shell recently announced that their Prelude floating LNG project off north west Western Australia has passed another milestone, with the $US12.6 billion ($11.8bn) project receiving final investment approval. Prelude is expected to produce 3.6 million tonnes (0.175 tcf) per annum of LNG, as well as 1.3 million tonnes of condensate and 400,000 tonnes of LPG. The facility is scheduled to begin production in 2016. The gas will be cooled by cold water pumped from about 150m below the ocean’s surface - allowing around 50,000 m3 of cold seawater each hour to cool the gas.

The project will be the world’s first floating LNG development and the facility will be the largest floating structure ever built. The vessel will be built by South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries. At 488 metres long, 74 metres wide and 600,000-tonne in weight it will be longer than four soccer fields laid end-to-end and will be six times heavier than the world's largest aircraft carrier. The vessel will be permanently moored about 200km off the coast for its 25 years of production and is designed to withstand severe category 5 cyclones (or a “one-in-10,000-year" tropical cyclone, as Shell executive director Malcolm Brinded put it).

In Australia we’ve seen onshore natural gas largely depleted, near offshore natural gas well developed (the north west shelf LNG operation has now been in operation for decades and long-stalled projects like Gorgon are now well underway), a boom in coal seam gas and emerging interest in exploiting shale gas (local producers seem to view speculation that US shale gas production will undermine Australian LNG export markets in Asia as unfounded, notwithstanding the strong Australian dollar) and biogas.

Research by the CSIRO (the Australian government's "Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation") in 2008 found that up to half Australia's natural gas resources (140 trillion cubic feet) could not be developed because they were too remote to be connected to onshore processing plants. Floating LNG platforms remove this barrier and would seem to be the final stage of our entry into what has been dubbed by some - including the IEA [pdf]) - as "The Gas Age". I guess you could view the fossil fuel era as an act in 3 parts, similar to the era of the dinosaurs, with the coal age being analagous to the Triassic period, the oil age to the Jurassic and the gas age echoing the Cretaceous, with the end of the era approaching.



By adopting the offshore floating LNG solution Shell hopes to also substantially reduce the time and cost of the project development phase. Global LNG demand is expected to double this decade and the introduction of floating storage and regasification vessels in recent years has enabled fast entry of new buyers to the market such as Argentina, Brazil, Kuwait and Dubai in recent years. Thailand and Singapore will soon also be able to import LNG and Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and possibly the Philippines are expected to follow a few years later.

Shell is already looking at a number of other locations for floating LNG projects, including the Greater Sunrise project in East Timor, and projects in Indonesia, Cyprus, East Africa and South America. Other companies are also interested in floating LNG with the BBC claiming Flex LNG and Hoegh LNG hoping to make final investment decisions shortly on projects in Papua New Guinea.

Jarand Rystad, founder of a Norway-based research consultancy for the oil industry says there are up to 160 gas fields where floating LNG could be applicable worldwide over the next decade. The prospect of a number of floating LNG developments has Darwin excited, with the town hoping to be the base for servicing Prelude and up to 10 additional platforms over time. The 10 platforms figure may have emerged from a statement from Samsung Heavy Industries estimating the size of the market last year. Besides the PNG projects mentioned earlier, Woodside have been pushing for a floating LNG development for the Sunrise development between Australia and East Timor, and there has been some speculation that Woodside's Browse development could avoid opposition to plans to build an onshore LNG plant in the Kimberly region. There has also been speculation that Inpex's Abadi and Ichthys projects could be candidates.

Gorgon Project Jobs

Gorgon investment in Australia is generating more and more jobs and supplier opportunities as local companies get involved with Australia’s single largest ever resource project.

The project is expected to spend about $20 billion on Australian goods and services over the next 4 to 5 years.

And early indications are confirming the independent modeling conducted by ACIL Tasman which showed that Gorgon will spend $33 billion on local goods and services in the first 30 years.

JobContax are currently hiring for a number of construction and engineering positions on the Gorgon Project. For all the latest Gorgon Project Jobs  visit www.jobcontax.com for more details.