Todd Energy (Todd Energy) will be moving ahead with plans to build a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant at its McKee production station site in Taranaki. The total cost of the project is about $65 million. Once commissioned, the LPG plant will enable Todd Energy to produce LPG sourced from its Mangahewa and Pohokura fields and deliver the product to customers via Todd Energy's retail company, Nova Energy.
Richard Tweedie, managing director of Todd Energy said the construction phase of the plant will create “in excess of 200,000 man hours of work, of which the majority will involve Taranaki people and businesses, over 12 months.”
“People will be able to enjoy the benefits of LPG throughout the North and South Island,” said Tweedie. “We are the only energy company providing New Zealand with a wellhead to customer service from our own totally indigenous LPG,” he said.
“The new plant will also help reduce New Zealand’s dependence on imported LPG which is good news for the country’s economy,” he added.
The plant will be located next to Todd Energy’s 100% owned and operated McKee production station. Tweedie commented that the site is ideal because it is already set up for industrial activity and that the new LPG plant will “maximize the use” of existing infrastructure from the McKee Plant and have a “low impact” on the area.
“Todd Energy has over 50 years experience in the Taranaki energy industry and we consider Taranaki our home. We will certainly ensure all reasonable steps are taken to minimise the impact of the project,” Tweedie said.
Positive discussions regarding the LPG plant have been held with the Taranaki Regional Council and New Plymouth District Council and all consents have been signed off for the project to proceed to the construction stage. Todd Energy is currently in final negotiations with a number of potential contractors.
“We hope to be able to confirm the project’s contractors in the next few weeks,” he said.
“Compared with petrol and diesel, LPG is the best environmental alternative and is a low carbon content fuel that can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change,” said Tweedie.