ICHTHYS EXPLORER

• Latitude: -13.9396
• Longitude: 123.298
• North Australia
• Offshore Terminal in Australia

Address: Australia

The Ichthys Explorer is a central processing facility (CPF) situated offshore as part of the Ichthys LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) Project, one of the most significant oil and gas developments in the world. Located off the coast of Western Australia, the CPF plays a crucial role in the extraction and processing of natural gas and condensate.

Description:

• Function: The Ichthys Explorer CPF is responsible for gathering, processing, and partially conditioning natural gas and condensate extracted from the Ichthys gas field. The facility separates the gas and liquids from the reservoir and removes water and other impurities.

• Operator: The CPF is operated by INPEX, a leading Japanese oil and gas exploration and production company.

• Location: The Ichthys gas field is located approximately 220 km off the coast of Western Australia and about 820 km southwest of Darwin.

• Launch Date: The Ichthys Explorer was officially launched in April 2018.

Specifications:

• Size and Capacity:

  • Dimensions: The Ichthys Explorer is one of the world's largest semi-submersible platforms, staggering in size.
  • Processing Capacity: The CPF is designed to process around 1.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
  • Condensate Production: It can handle approximately 85,000 barrels of condensate per day.

• Design and Construction:

  • Structure: The CPF is a massive, floating structure designed to withstand harsh offshore conditions.
  • Weight: The platform weighs around 120,000 tons.
  • Mooring: It is anchored to the seabed using 28 mooring lines, ensuring stability.

• Features:

  • Processing Facilities: Equipped with advanced processing units to separate and treat gas and liquids, including dehydration, mercury removal, and desulfurization units.
  • Accommodation: The CPF includes accommodation facilities for the crew, capable of housing up to 200 personnel.
  • Safety Systems: Designed with robust safety and emergency response systems including flare systems, emergency shutdown systems, lifeboats, and fire-fighting systems.
  • Sustainability: Features systems to manage and minimize environmental impact, such as systems for gas flaring reduction and water treatment.

• Connectivity:

  • The processed gas is transported via an undersea pipeline stretching 890 kilometers to the onshore processing facility at Bladin Point near Darwin.
  • The condensate is offloaded to tankers directly from the CPF for export to international markets.

Operations:

• Lifecycle: The CPF is expected to have a lifespan of around 40 years, playing a significant role in the operation of the Ichthys project, which is forecasted to produce around 8.9 million tonnes of LNG and 1.65 million tonnes of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) per annum, along with condensate.

Industrial Impact:

The Ichthys Explorer CPF is a critical component of the Ichthys LNG Project, contributing significantly to the energy supply chain and bringing economic benefits both locally and globally through the export of energy resources.

Conclusion:

The Ichthys Explorer CPF stands as a testament to modern engineering and offshore technology, facilitating the efficient processing and export of hydrocarbons from one of the world's most significant offshore oil and gas developments. It underscores INPEX's role in meeting global energy demands while committing to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.