Oz APA Assumes Management of Orbost Gas Plant

Australian explorer Cooper Energy December 10 said that gas infrastructure firm APA Group has taken the responsibility for the management of the Orbost gas plant from construction contractor Downer.

“APA has advised the responsibility for management of the Orbost site was transferred from the construction contractor Downer Limited, to APA on 10 December 2019. This is an important milestone which allows APA to continue with the next phase of commissioning activities, including the onsite power generation,” Cooper said.

Sole gas field in Gippsland Basin offshore Victoria is ready to produce gas on completion of the Orbost gas plant upgrade and commissioning which is being managed by the APA Group. Cooper, which holds 100% equity in the Sole gas field, is undertaking the A$355mn ($264mn) offshore development, while APA Group is conducting a A$250mn upgrade to the onshore Orbost gas processing plant to enable processing of gas from Sole.

The introduction of gas from the Eastern gas pipeline (EGP) for the first phase of gas commissioning is planned to commence in early January 2020, Cooper said. The second phase of gas commissioning, which involves gas supply from the Sole gas field, is now planned to commence late January. On this basis, the first supply of Sole sales gas to the EGP should commence in February 2020, the company said.