HIMA is stepping up to provide a comprehensive safety service framework. HIMA has been engaged in work on the Ichthys LNG Project since 2009 and supplied the safety instrumented system, fire and gas systems, emergency shutdown, high-integrity pressure protection system, among others.

Moving into the operational stage, HIMA is now continuing the relationship with INPEX on the Ichthys LNG Project, having secured a long term service contract. HIMA will be responsible for supporting INPEX in maintaining the safety instrumented systems on Ichthys LNG including the supply of parts, and services to ensure that the safety system is permanently operating at its optimum.

Operated by INPEX, Japan’s largest exploration and production company, the Ichthys gas field represents the most extensive discovery of hydrocarbon liquids in Australia in more than 50 years.  The Ichthys LNG development includes both offshore and onshore facilities consisting of a floating production storage and offloading vessel, central processing facility and onshore LNG plant, with an accompanying 890 kilometres of subsea pipeline. 

The INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG is expected to produce up to 8.9 million tons of LNG and 1.6 million tons of LPG at peak annually, with up to 100,000 barrels of condensate per day at peak. 

Speaking on the contract win, Friedhelm Best, Vice President of HIMA Asia Pacific, said: “For HIMA, the signing of the long term service contract for the safety system represents a key milestone and major success for us.  We are extremely pleased to be able to take this relationship with the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project into the next operational stage. 

“Now, we are facing a different set of challenges in ensuring that the operation is running safely round the clock without any interruption.  HIMA also contributes towards secure operations in line with INPEX’s requirements.” 

Touching on the collaboration with HIMA, INPEX’s Graham Ison, ‎Operations Principal Instrument and Control Engineer, said: “As we get closer to the plant start up and into the operational phase, we have signed a long term service contract with HIMA to support the maintenance of the safety instrumented systems across Ichthys LNG. This contract is important to us as we look forward to safe, reliable and efficient operations.” 

Finally speaking on his experience on the close cooperation with the INPEX Operations team in Australia, Bhushan Sathe, HIMA’s National Sales Manager in Australia said “This is only the start of the journey for us to contribute towards the safe operation of Ichthys LNG over its expected life.”