NORTH RANKIN

• Latitude: -19.5841
• Longitude: 116.138
• West Australia
• Offshore Terminal in Australia

Location: Australia

Port Description: North Rankin (Australia)

Location: North Rankin A (NRA) is an offshore gas-producing facility situated in the North West Shelf of Australia. It is operated by Woodside Energy Ltd., a major player in the oil and gas industry. The specific geographical coordinates for the North Rankin Complex are approximately 19° 32' S latitude and 116° 08' E longitude.

Port Type: Marine Offshore Platform. As a significant component of Woodside's North West Shelf Project, North Rankin is an offloading point for natural gas rather than a conventional port accommodating commercial shipping traffic.

Facilities: The North Rankin hub consists of two interconnected platforms:

1. North Rankin A (NRA): Operational since the mid-1980s, NRA is responsible for the extraction and processing of natural gas and condensate.
2. North Rankin B (NRB): A newer structure that supplements NRA and enhances its gas recovery capabilities.

Operator:

• Woodside Energy Ltd.
• North West Shelf (NWS) Joint Venture involving several participants including BP, Chevron, BHP, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) and Shell.

Specifications:

1. Water Depth:

   • Approximately 125 meters at the platform location.

2. Production Capacity:

   • Potential to process up to several billion cubic feet of gas per day.
   • Significant condensate production alongside gas.

3. Infrastructure:

   • Pipeline networks connecting the platforms to onshore processing facilities.
   • Accommodation facilities for personnel.

4. Safety and Compliance:

   • Adherence to stringent safety regulations and environmental standards.
   • Regular safety drills and procedures in place.

5. Offloading and Transport:

   • Export of processed gas through pipelines.
   • Onshore processing facilities located in Karratha, Western Australia.

Environmental Considerations:

• Comprehensive environmental management systems.
• Impact assessments conducted regularly to mitigate environmental hazards associated with offshore drilling and extraction.

Connectivity:

• Helicopter and supply vessel services for transportation of personnel and supplies.
• Communication systems for real-time data monitoring and operational control.

Economic Significance:

• A critical infrastructure component in Australia's natural gas supply chain.
• Contributes significantly to both regional and national economies through production, employment, and export revenues.

Challenges and Opportunities:

• Environmental and safety risks inherent in offshore oil and gas operations.
• Prospects for enhanced efficiency through technological advancements and digitization in operational processes.

By facilitating the extraction and initial processing of natural gas from the North West Shelf, the North Rankin complex plays a pivotal role in Australia's energy sector, ensuring the supply of natural gas for domestic use and export to international markets.