Chevron’s Gorgon offshore gas production project proposal, which envisages connecting seven backfill fields to existing subsea infrastructure offshore Australia, has been released for public comment.
Chevron proposes to connect seven backfill fields to the existing subsea infrastructure that connects the two currently operating Gorgon and Jansz-Io gas fields to the Gorgon gas plant.
The development of the fields is staggered, i.e. not all fields are developed in a single campaign.
It is one of Australia’s largest natural gas projects off the northwest coast of Western Australia. The seven fields are located about 200 kilometers north of Onslow and 100 kilometers north-northeast of Barrow Island.
The seven fields in water depths ranging from 150 to 1,400 metres include Chandon, Chrysaor, Dionysus, Eurytion, Geryon, Semele and West Tryal Rocks, which extend over WA-5-R, WA-14-R, WA-15-R, WA-20-R, WA-21-R, WA-22-R, WA-53-R, WA-75-R and WA-76-R.
Activities to develop the first field are expected to begin in 2026. The order of development of the seven fields has not yet been determined. However, subject to the relevant approvals, Geryon and Eurytion are envisaged as the next fields to be developed. They are expected to be developed together and share common infrastructure.
A backfill field is a natural gas supply required to maintain throughput to an operating facility.
NOPSEMA, the country’s regulatory body, concluded that the offshore project proposal meets the regulatory requirements for publication for public comment, but has not yet addressed the acceptability of the project and its associated environmental impacts.
This will not happen until the consultation is complete and Chevron has considered and addressed the issues raised by the public.
If the proposal meets all regulatory requirements and is accepted by NOPSEMA, further regulatory approvals from NOPSEMA will be required, including environmental plans, safety case studies and well operations management plans, before activities can commence.
Interested stakeholders are invited to comment on the proposal by 1 November 2024.
