Ichthys on track as offshore facilities take shape

The INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project (the Project) is on track to achieving first gas by the end of 2016 with the first steel cutting today for what will be the world’s largest semisubmersible platform.

The 150 metre by 110 metre large central processing facility (CPF) will displace 140,000 tonnes and will have a peak gas export rate of 1,657 MMscfd, making it the largest of its kind. The semi-submersible is being built by world-leading offshore construction company Samsung Heavy Industries, with Mustang as the detailed engineering subcontractor.

This steel cutting milestone marks the first step in the fabrication process. INPEX President Director Australia Seiya Ito was at the Samsung Shipyard on Geoje Island in Korea today where the first steel plates for the CPF hull were cut.

“This is one of the most exciting parts of the Project - the first materialisation of what has been many years of hard work; it’s when the design comes to life,” Mr Ito said.