RE: Kirby: Drilling to Become Reality29 May 2019 02:47
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Sources say smaller explorers are waiting to see how Origin and Santos fare under the strict new rules governing fracking in the NT and will only likely resume drilling next year at the earliest.
Mr Kirby also underscored the government's ambition to see a gas-based manufacturing and processing industry established near Darwin on the back of the huge LNG export activity through Darwin LNG and Inpex Corporation's Ichthys LNG project.
He said discussions were underway on a range of potential new projects for a site allocated at the Middle Arm industrial precinct south of Darwin and adjacent to the LNG sites.
ConocoPhillips, operator of Darwin LNG, is thought to be targeting the year-end for a decision on a replacement source of gas for the project as the Bayu-Undan offshore field winds down. The Barossa project, involving Conoco and Santos, is the lead contender, while the Evans Shoal venture led by Italian energy giant ENI, is also in the mix.
Meanwhile, Conoco on Wednesday announced that Darwin LNG would become the first LNG plant worldwide to install a battery, which would cut carbon emissions from power generation at the site by 20 per cent.
The venture, which involves Santos, will set a template for other LNG plants to reduce emissions, Conoco said, noting the battery would save thousands of tonnes of fuel gas and reduce maintenance costs.
The battery will enable the turbines at the power plant to run at maximum efficiency and remove the need to run an additional turbine.
“The battery has significant potential to integrate with other opportunities currently being considered by Darwin LNG to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions such as alternative energy generation,” said ConocoPhillips Australia West President Chris Wilson.