The first phase of the Pluto project will include a single liquefied natural gas (LNG) production train with forecast production of 4.3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) (4.8 mtpa at 100% capacity) connected by a 180km, 36-inch offshore pipeline to a platform in 85 meters of water.
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 work for the gas processing plant, where the production train will be located, has also started, according to Woodside.
Don Voelte, CEO, said: Pluto is on schedule to be the fastest LNG project in the world from discovery to first gas, and the start of construction of the project is a very exciting time for Woodside.
The platform is to be connected to five subsea big bore wells on the Pluto field, with first gas expected to be produced in late 2010.
