Feature Articles

Oil and gas reforms key to Queensland’s energy future

02/11/2020 Posted by Dale

Australia’s oil and gas industry has congratulated Premier Annastacia Pałaszczuk and the Labor Party following their election success in Queensland on Saturday.

APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the industry makes a significant contribution to the state and has invested more than $70 billion into Queensland’s economy due to the rapid development of the natural gas and LNG industries.

“As a key driver of Queensland’s economy, the oil and gas sector is committed to working with the new government as there are many challenges ahead for economic recovery,” Mr McConville said.

“We have a long and proud history of engaging with the government to grow the sector to where it is today.

Searcher commences Perth Basin Airborne Survey

02/11/2020 Posted by Dale

Searcher has announced the acquisition of two proprietary airborne exploration surveys over the onshore Perth Basin, to be acquired on behalf of Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU).

The new airborne geophysical data includes two surveys over three of MEPAU’s onshore Perth Basin permits (EP455, L4 and L5) located in the Shire of Coorow and Shire of Carnamah.

Searcher have assisted MEPAU with the project planning and regulatory approvals, including obtaining feedback from local stakeholders and land managers, and operational management.

Little change in Geoscientist employment

30/10/2020 Posted by Dale

Geoscientist employment in Australia remained relatively stable during the third quarter of 2020. Nationally, unemployment increased to 10.6% from 8.6% in the June quarter, while under-employment fell significantly to 12.7% from 17.4% for the period.

Under-employment, in this survey series, is defined as geoscientists being unable to secure more than 25% of their desired workload.

Full time geoscientist employment fell from 69% in the June quarter to 61%. The proportions of geoscientists in part time and casual employment were little changed from the June quarter survey.

Shell Deepwater Selects Bentley’s iTwin Platform for Project Delivery

27/10/2020 Posted by Dale

Bentley Systems has announced that Shell’s Deepwater business has selected Bentley’s digital twin approach to streamline its capital projects process and accelerate time to first oil.

Bentley said that with a plan to deliver several subsea tie-back projects over the next 10 years, Shell Deepwater Projects has recognized a significant opportunity to accelerate capital project delivery and cut project delivery time by implementing an integrated digital project and engineering environment. The solution spans project conception in the early phase design through to handover.

“Shell Deepwater Projects is developing an integrated Workflow and Data Platform from system selection to asset handover to streamline our capital projects processes and accelerate time to first oil,” said GT Ju, General Manager Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Projects. “

New SA hydrogen plant to supply industry

27/10/2020 Posted by Dale

A pioneering hydrogen production plant in final commissioning in Adelaide is set to become a major supplier to industry – with the SA regional city of Whyalla to be the first beneficiary.

The breakthrough will position the new Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA) facility at the Tonsley Innovation District as a major wholesale supplier of renewable hydrogen in Australia.

Project developer Australian Gas Networks (AGN) - part of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has completed the installation of the electrolyser, with final construction works due to be

finished shortly.

Australian Gas Industry Trust appoints inaugural Executive Officer

27/10/2020 Posted by Dale

The Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT) has appointed its first Executive Officer, Dr Jen Thompson, to further develop the Trust’s core objectives of promoting gas industry research and education.

“With a strong background in energy, research and science education, Dr Thompson is an ideal person to take AGIT’s activities forward through the energy transition,” said Trust Chairman, Dr Graeme Bethune. “I am delighted to have Jen on board.”

Dr Thompson has more than 20 years working with government and academia and many years’ experience in mining and energy strategy.

INPEX signs up for DUG McCloud

27/10/2020 Posted by Dale

DUG Technology has signed a deal with Japanese energy company INPEX to provide HPC cycles and software using DUG McCloud.

DUG Technology Managing Director Matt Lamont said the INPEX collaboration had the potential to lead to the DUG McCloud platform being used for other INPEX projects as part of a long-term relationship.

INPEX tested the platform at DUG’s headquarters in Houston before signing the contract.

“We know that once prospective clients try the software, test the algorithms and use the platform, the inherent benefits become obvious,” Dr Lamont said.

“The momentum continues to build around our High-Performance Computing as a Service business, with several companies evaluating the benefits DUG McCloud can provide.

Katalyst Data Management Launches Katalyst 360 Data Analytics Platform

17/10/2020 Posted by Dale

Katalyst Data Management has announced the launch of their new Katalyst 360 data analytics platform for the oil and gas industry.

Katalyst said This self-service data analytics environment “provides a 360-degree view of how subsurface data assets are being utilized within an organization. Katalyst 360 greatly expands the utility of Katalyst’s data management solutions, giving oil and gas companies the ability to gain greater insight into their valuable subsurface data assets.”

Katalyst 360 features analytics dashboards that are synchronized to an oil and gas company’s subsurface data.

LNG import facilities “imperative” for Victoria

17/10/2020 Posted by Dale

LNG import terminals have once again been flagged as a critical component of Australia’s imminent gas supply needs, especially for the State of Victoria.

In its latest report, New EnergyQuest has predicted that gas production offshore Victoria will start to decline ~2023, with Cooper Basin gas following suite around 2026. At this juncture, the southern states could be staring down an energy crisis barrel, with New South Wales’ Narrabri Project insufficient to meet demand should Santos proceed with the now sanctioned gas facility.

EnergyQuest CEO Dr Graeme Bethune said:

Senex’s $30 million Roma North expansion set to create 50 construction jobs

15/10/2020 Posted by Dale

Senex has taken a Final Investment Decision to increase its gas production near Roma, in south-west Queensland, by 50 per cent.

About 50 construction jobs are set to be created and more than $30 million will be invested in expansion of the natural gas processing facility at the Roma North development, drilling of wells and construction of supporting infrastructure. The expansion is expected to be finished within the next year.

The announcement comes after Senex said last month it was set to create 100 construction jobs and support hundreds of manufacturing roles after winning a competitive tender for gas acreage that will expand its successful Atlas domestic gas project 50 per cent.