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Cyclone closes Woodside's North West Shelf: Australia's largest gas plant
As Asia scrambles for gas, another Australian gas export plant is out of action, and the WA Government monitors the situation to ensure sufficient fuel for the state.
Woodside's sprawling Karratha gas plant in WA's north is shut down after Cyclone Narelle passed by on Thursday, according to multiple industry sources not authorised to speak to the media.
Boiling Cold understands thatthe North West Shelf (NWS) project's four liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains, gas turbine power generators and the domestic gas plant are all down.
The outage at Australia's oldest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant comes a week after the nation's newest - Santos' Barossa - unexpectedly shut down for several weeks.
Both unplanned shutdowns come while gas-dependent nations scramble for LNG to replace the supply blocked behind the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia's gas customers were looking for more of the vital fuel, but may instead get less than they had expected.
The flow of gas from the NWS into the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP), which supplies the south west of the state, has ceased. The plant supplies about five per cent of the state's gas.
The pipeline acts as a significant store of gas, preventing any immediate effect on supply. Any concern about WA having sufficient gas would be eased by the recent unplanned shutdown of Yara's ammonia plant, which will free up gas for other users.
The spokesman for the WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification said it is aware that the cyclone has impacted gas production facilities and, under the State Emergency Framework, is working with relevant parties and monitoring the situation.
Its spokesman noted that the line pack - gas stored - in the DBNGP was at "green" status on the WA Gas Bulletin Board.
Wind gusts of 122 km/hour were recorded at Karratha on early Thursday afternoon.
As Cyclone Narelle tracked south of Varanus Island, home to Santos' domestic gas production, had gusts of 174 km/hour at 6 PM, and Chevron's Gorgon gas export project on Barrow Island experienced gusts of 170km/hour.
Boiling Cold asked Woodside about the state of its facilities in WA's north and when production is likely to recommence.
A Woodside spokesperson said the company is monitoring the progress of Cyclone Narelle.
"Our priority is the safety of our people, the environment and our assets," she said,
"Our offshore workforce has been safely demobilised in line with our cyclone preparation arrangements,
Karratha was on the edge of an area classified as having destructive winds. Image: BOM
"If there is any material impact to production or assets, Woodside will update the market in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations."
Boiling Cold understands all personnel are removed from offshore platforms in the days preceding the arrival of a cyclone.
The Woodside spokeswoman said it was continuing to supply domestic gas to its customers from its WA assets.
Woodside operates the North West Shelf project and owns one-third of it. It also operates and owns most of the Pluto gas export project that supplies a small amount of gas to WA, and wholly owns the Macedon domestic gas plant.
A spokesman for the offshore safety regulator NOPSEMA said all operators have well-practised procedures to keep workers safe and protect the environment in the event of cyclones.
UPDATES
Cyclone tracking map added
Woodside domestic gas comments and WA portfolio added.
WA Government comments added.
NOPSEMA comments added.
Clarification that platform personnel are normally set onshore prior to a cyclone added.
Wind speeds added.
Gas production chart and comment added.
CORRECTION
Removed reference to the onshore plant being without power. It is likely that there is backup power for lighting and other critical systems.
I worked in oil & gas in commercial and engineering roles for 20 years. Since 2016, I have written for The West Australian, WAtoday, The Guardian and Boiling Cold, winning five WA Media Awards.
The troubled $6 billion flagship will be out of action "for a number of weeks," just as Santos' customers are desperate for gas to replace supply from the Middle East.
The shutdown of the Yara Pilbara plant comes as a quarter of global trade in ammonia, used for urea fertiliser and mining explosives, is blocked by war.
Peter Milne
