Name and Location
Browse liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, Australia.

Client
Browse Joint Venture (JV), comprising Woodside Petroleum (operator), Shell Development (Australia), BP Developments Australia, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI Browse) and PetroChina International Investment (Australia).

Project Description
The aim is to commercialise the JV’s three gas and condensate fields – Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa – which are located in the Indian Ocean, 425 km north of Broome, in Western Australia.

These three fields are estimated to contain combined contingent volumes of 15.9-trillion cubic feet of dry gas and 436-million barrels of condensate.

The JV participants have elected to use floating LNG (FLNG) technology as the development concept to commercialise the three Browse gasfields, after an evaluation of the project in April, ahead of a final investment decision, determined that the Browse project did not meet the company’s commercial requirements.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
In April this year, Woodside completed its technical and commercial evaluation of the proposed Browse LNG project and determined that the development concept did not meet the company’s commercial requirements for a positive final investment decision.

In August, Woodside resolved to recommend the Browse JV participants use FLNG technology as the development concept to commercialise the three Browse gasfields. Other development concepts considered included a pipeline to existing facilities, in the Pilbara, and a modified option, in the Kimberley.

On September 2, the Browse JV participants selected FLNG technology as the development concept to commercialise the Browse resources.

This concept involves using Shell’s FLNG technology and Woodside’s offshore development expertise for the Browse LNG development. The JV participants have agreed to progress the basis of design (BoD) work in relation to the selected development concept.

The BoD phase will determine the major design parameters for front-end engineering and design (Feed) of the proposed subsea and FLNG facilities and associated infrastructure.

The BoD phase will be executed by Woodside as operator of the Browse JV, with support from Shell as the FLNG technology provider, to enable the optimal development of the Browse resources.

Work will start immediately to undertake all of the necessary studies and work required to enable JV participants to consider the start of Feed for the selected development concept in 2014.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Browse LNG development project, tel +61 8 9191 9200.