WA gas plant online by 2010

Woodside’s Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) project near Karratha, WA, is on schedule to commence production in 2010 after sealing a contract with Honeywell to provide its integrated control system.

The facility, based on Woodside’s Pluto gas field north-west of Karratha, is WA’s first new LNG plant in more than 20 years. It is expected to produce 4.3 million tonnes of LNG per year.

The gas plant includes sub-sea wells; an offshore, unmanned wellhead platform; a 180 km trunk line; an onshore LNG plant; and associated infrastructure near Karratha.

Honeywell will provide its Experion Process Knowledge System R300, along with advanced process control and operator training systems. The system will streamline production by centralising and controlling all process operations and data from subsystems throughout the facility, aiding operator decision making.

Honeywell will also specify, procure, engineer and integrate the emergency shutdown and fire and gas systems.

“We are delighted to have been selected by Woodside for the Pluto LNG Project,” said Tony Cosgrove, managing director for Honeywell Process Solutions Australia.

“Honeywell has worked closely with Woodside on successive projects to implement a suite of best-in-class LNG technology solutions. Woodside will be able to leverage these solutions for the Pluto Project, enhancing safety and efficiency, optimising production and improving business performance.”

Scheduled for completion in 2009, the project is expected to commence production in late 2010.