With topsides weighing about 78,000 tonnes gross and a deck size of 130 m by 120 m, the Ichthys Explorer central processing facility (pictured) is the world’s largest semisubmersible production platform and the first in Australian waters, according to INPEX.
If ratified by the other partners and Australian regulatory authorities, INPEX subsidiaries would increase their stakes in the project to 67.82%.
The interests relate to offshore blocks WA-50-L and A-51-L including the Ichthys gas-condensate field and exploration permit WA-285-P, adjacent to WA-50-L.
Courtesy INPEX
Ichthys Venturer FPSO is 336 m long and weighs about 150,000 tonnes, and INPEX says the turret is one of the largest and most complex ever installed on an FPSO.
Courtesy INPEX
Ichthys LNG’s 890-km gas export pipeline delivers gas and some condensate from the Ichthys Explorer central processing facility in the Browse Basin to onshore processing facilities at Bladin Point near Darwin, in preparation for export.
In October 2022, Tokyo Gas announced its plan to sell the shares in its Australian project subsidiary holding theses interests to MidOcean Energy Holdings. INPEX subsequently exercised its pre-emptive rights under the various agreements to acquire the interests itself.
