ConocoPhillips working to resume APLNG terminal ops

A unit of ConocoPhillips is working to resume production at the Australia Pacific LNG plant on Curtis Island after the 174,100-cbm Cesi Qingdao was moved from the terminal early Friday morning.

ConocoPhillips Australia confirmed in a statement on Friday that the 2017-built LNG vessel was moved from the facility following approval from Australian Maritime Safety Authority.  

Earlier this week, the loaded LNG tanker owned by a joint venture of MOL, Cosco Shipping, and Sinopec had lost power at the terminal’s jetty and was unable to leave.

“The ship has been moved to outer anchorage from Gladstone Harbour for further repairs by the ship owner in accordance with regulators’ safety orders,” ConocoPhillips Australia said.

ConocoPhillips as downstream operator will now focus on safely bringing the LNG facility back into operation to resume LNG production, it said.

Three LNG cargoes

Shareholder and upstream APLNG operator, Origin Energy, said in a separate statement that it will start ramping up production to return the flow of gas to the LNG facility to normal levels.

Origin, which is subject to a takeover offer from a consortium consisting of Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management and a unit of US-based energy investor EIG, expects the LNG facility to recommence loading operations overnight.

“In total, three LNG cargoes were unable to be loaded during this event,” the company said.

Origin currently owns a 22.5 percent in the APLNG project, while Sinopec owns a 25 percent share in the project.

US energy giant ConocoPhillips has a 47.5 percent share in the APLNG project and operates the 9 mtpa LNG export facility on Curtis Island near Gladstone.

However, ConocoPhillips revealed plans in March to become upstream operator of APLNG following the closing of EIG’s transaction with Origin, and it has also agreed to purchase up to an additional 2.49 percent shareholding interest in APLNG for $0.5 billion.

Most Popular

Cheniere takes FID on two more Corpus Christi LNG trains

US LNG exporting giant Cheniere has made a positive final investment decision to build two more midscale trains at its Corpus Christi LNG plant in Texas. The company has also issued full notice to proceed to Bechtel.

Golar progresses FLNG growth plans

Golar LNG said it had signed a final engineering study to confirm EPC price and delivery for a 5 mtpa MKIII FLNG.

Italian FSRU operator launches small-scale LNG service

Italy’s OLT Offshore LNG Toscana, the operator of the FSRU Toscana, has launched its small-scale liquefied natural gas service, enabling small vessels to load LNG at the FSRU.

More News Like This

ConocoPhillips loads its first Equatorial Guinea LNG cargo

US energy giant ConocoPhillips has loaded its inaugural LNG cargo at the Punta Europa LNG plant in Equatorial Guinea.

Gladstone LNG exports drop in May

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the Gladstone port in Australia’s Queensland dropped 4.5 percent year-on-year in May due to lower volumes going to China, according to the monthly data by Gladstone Ports Corporation.

China’s Sinopec secures price cut for APLNG contract

China’s state-controlled energy giant Sinopec has secured a lower price for its long-term liquefied natural gas supply deal with Australia Pacific LNG following a price review, according to APLNG shareholder Origin Energy.

ConocoPhillips seals Chinese LNG supply deal

US energy giant ConocoPhillips has signed a long-term LNG supply deal with China's Guangdong Pearl River Investment Management Group.