Australian LNG exports reached 69.5 Mt in 2018, up 23.0% from 56.5 Mt in 2017, EnergyQuest has revealed in its latest LNG report. The energy advisory firm said the start-up of the Ichthys project during 2018 and continued good performance of Wheatstone, which started production from Train 2 during 2018, has made a major contribution to the growth in Australian exports. The long-awaited Prelude project also began production in late December with the first cargoes expected in early 2019. The report further revealed that: Notwithstanding media headlines about “record” Queensland LNG exports, east coast exports only grew by 0.3 Mt.
Industry
Alaska Gasline Development Corp tops capex charts in North America
Alaska Gasline Development Corp (AGDC) is the top spender among all oil and gas companies in North America, in terms of new build capital expenditure (capex) to be spent during 2018–2025, on planned and announced projects across midstream and downstream segments (including petrochemicals). This was revealed in a report by data and analytics company GlobalData which confirmed that AGDC tops the list with capex of US$37.3bn, followed by Canada Stewart Energy and NextDecade Corp with capex of US$30.3bn and US$28.4bn, respectively.
Mount Barker “big winner” from AER approval of new $33 million natural gas pipeline
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has given its approval to a proposed extension of Australian Gas Networks’ (AGN) South Australian natural gas network to Mount Barker. The approval, granted in late December, is for a new 40km, $33 million natural gas pipeline extending the existing natural gas network from Murray Bridge, through Monarto South and Kanmantoo, to the Mount Barker region. Welcoming the AER final approval, AGN Chief Customer Officer, Mr Andrew Staniford, said the company was able to move ahead with finalising specific technical details and to once again engage with affected landholders along the proposed pipeline route.
Bass Oil backs out of Indonesian deal
Australian-based Indonesian oil producer, Bass Oil has decided to withdraw from the acquisition of a 100% participating interest in the North Madura Production Sharing Contract (PSC) (Java) from AziPac Limited. Bass Oil announced that finalisation of the acquisition was subject to the execution of a detailed sale and purchase agreement and Bass being satisfied with the results of its due diligence enquiries on the two AziPac subsidiaries - which were to be acquired by Bass to effect the transaction.
Sercel Awarded Contract for 100,000-Channel 508XT Land Seismic Acquisition System
CGG announces that Sercel has been awarded a contract by a major data acquisition company to supply land seismic equipment for a large onshore 3D seismic survey in the Middle East. The contract includes 100,000 Sercel 508XT channels equipped with strings of 12 SG-10 geophones. This large-scale 3D project encompasses several diverse environments, including areas with limited access, such as industrial complexes, agricultural land and urban areas. The 508XT system is an ideal choice for these challenging conditions: its unique fault-tolerant cross-technology (X-Tech®) architecture, including local storage and automatic data rerouting, simplifies field operations and enables continuous acquisition.
Northern Gas Pipeline to boost east coast gas supply
Australia’s natural gas producers welcomed the opening of the Northern Gas Pipeline between Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and Mt Isa in Queensland. APPEA Chief Executive Dr Malcolm Roberts said the pipeline, built by Jemena, means northern Australia’s abundant gas resources will for the first time be able to be delivered to the gas markets of eastern Australia. “The new pipeline is another example of the measures the broader gas industry is taking to meet the needs of Australia’s homes and businesses which rely on sustained natural gas supply,” Dr Roberts said.
Sercel sells a 100,000 channel 508XT land seismic acquisition system to BGP
Sercel has been awarded a contract by BGP to supply land seismic equipment for a large onshore 3D seismic survey in the Middle East. The contract includes 100,000 Sercel 508XT channels equipped with strings of 12 SG-10 geophones. Sercel said in a media release that “this large-scale 3D project encompasses several diverse environments, including areas with limited access, such as industrial complexes, agricultural land and urban areas. The 508XT system is an ideal choice for these challenging conditions: its unique fault-tolerant cross-technology (X-Tech®) architecture, including local storage and automatic data rerouting, simplifies field operations and enables continuous acquisition.
‘US to top new-build capex spend in oil and gas to 2025’
A total capital expenditure (capex) of $3.6tn is expected to be spent globally across oil and gas value chain on planned and announced projects during 2018 to 2025, according todata and analytics company GlobalData. In its latest report GlobalData said that, globally, the US, Russia, and Canada are the top countries in terms of new-build capex to be spent on planned and announced projects across the oil and gas value chain by 2025. The US tops the list with capex of US$521.4bn expected to be spent on 484 oil and gas projects. Russia and Canada follow with US$317.
Gas investors warned Australian states among world’s worst
The Australian states that complain most loudly about gas supply rank among the worst places in the world to invest in developing natural gas resources, a leading global survey has found. The Canadian-based Fraser Institute’s 12th annual survey shames Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania as among the world’s most unattractive destinations for oil and gas investment. APPEA Chief Executive Malcolm Roberts said Australia’s south eastern states are keeping dubious company in their slide to the bottom as oil and gas investment destinations.
34th IGC Travel Grant Scheme – 2018 Call for Applications
Applications are now being accepted for the 34th International Geological Congress Travel Grant Scheme for Early-Career Australian and New Zealand Geoscientists. This scheme provides funds to support travel by Australian and New Zealand geoscientists in the early stages of their careers. The application deadline has been extended to 14 December 2018. Details on how to apply and previous grants awarded can be found here. AN INITIATIVE OF THE AUSTRALIAN GEOSCIENCE COUNCIL AND THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE