LNG export cutback spurs Australia's offshore developments
Developers of the Australian Northwest offshore gas fields are hoping to take advantage of the trade opportunities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) that have opened up since Algeria and Iran banned further LNG exports. The lack of an integrated world market and pricing system, and a combination of high costs for transport and processing and low profit margins have slowed development of LNG for international trade. Japan and the United States are both expected to be ready markets. Nigeria plans a development program comparable to that of Australia's Northwest Shelf. Improved deep-water drilling techniques and production technology have recently allowed more extensive off-shore exploration. Seismic surveys have aided in an understanding of the area's geological characteristics. Three fields at Scott Reef (North Rankin, Goodwyn, and Angel) were discovered in 1971 and are comparable to Thistle Field in the North Sea. Ownership is shared by several companies, including Woodside-Burmah and Shell Development. Development operations are directed by BOCAL Pty Ltd. Current plans call for the gas to be transmitted to a plant on shore for processing to LNG for export. Condensate will be used for domestic gasoline or chemical feedstock and pipeline quality gas for domestic utilities. A summary of development strategies and anticipated costs is included. (DCK)
- OSTI ID:
- 7108171
- Journal Information:
- Energy Int.; (United States), Vol. 14:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
03 NATURAL GAS
AUSTRALIA
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS
OFFSHORE SITES
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
PRODUCTION
AVAILABILITY
CHARGES
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
COST
ECONOMICS
ENERGY TRANSPORT
EXPLORATION
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
MARINE SURVEYS
MARKET
OFFSHORE DRILLING
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
PIPELINES
SEISMIC SURVEYS
TRADE
AGREEMENTS
AUSTRALASIA
DRILLING
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
NATURAL GAS
294003* - Energy Planning & Policy- Natural Gas
030400 - Natural Gas- Products & By-Products