Woodside formally launches Pluto LNG project

Construction work on one of Australia’s biggest resource projects has officially begun, with a formal ceremony today on the site of the $11.2 billion Pluto LNG Project.

Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter unveiled a plaque recognising the launch of the project, after taking part in a tour of the construction site.

Although Pluto was approved by the Woodside Board on 27 July 2007, work on the project has been underway since December 2006 when the Board approved initial funding for long lead items and site preparation.

Site preparation has been underway since January 2007, after Woodside received environmental and heritage approval to begin work on the project’s storage tanks and export facility.
Preparation works for the gas processing plant, where the production train will be located, also began last month.

Pluto’s initial phase will include a single liquefied natural gas production train with forecast production of 4.3 million tonnes per annum (4.8 mtpa at 100% capacity) connected by a 180km, 36-inch offshore pipeline to a platform in 85 metres of water.

The platform will be connected to five subsea big bore wells on the Pluto field, with first gas to be produced in late 2010.

Feasibility work has already begun on an expansion of Pluto, by the addition of a second production train.