Ichthys: About Ichthys
In 1998, INPEX acquired the WA-285-P exploration permit located in the Browse Basin, approximately 450 kilometres north of Broome and 850 kilometres south-west of Darwin, off the north-west coast of Western Australia.
In 2000, three exploratory wells resulted in the discovery of an extremely promising gas and condensate field now known as Ichthys. In 2006 INPEX transferred a 24% working interest in Ichthys to Total E&P Australia. INPEX is now the Operator of the Ichthys Joint Venture.
The Ichthys Field measures approximately 40 kilometres by 20 kilometres and is one of Australia's largest undeveloped gas fields, with reserve estimates of 12.8 trillion cubic feet of gas and 527 million barrels of condensate and an expected operational life of over 40 years.
The joint venture is now working towards the commercialisation of this resource and on 26 September 2008 announced that it had selected Middle Arm Peninsula at Blaydin Point in Darwin Harbour in the Northern Territory, to develop a liquefied natural gas processing facility.
The project will carry out front-end engineering design (FEED) as the joint venture works towards making a final investment decision in 2009 and delivering its first LNG shipment in 2014 or 2015.
Proposed facilities
Offshore
- Offshore production facility and condensate storage facility
- 850 kilometre subsea pipeline to Blaydin Point, Darwin
Coastal facilities
- Harbour and offloading facilities in Darwin Harbour
- Product offloading jetty
Onshore
- Gas receival
- Two LNG trains producing a total of more than 8 million tonnes per annum
- Storage for condensate, LPG and LNG
- Accommodation and administration facilities
- Utilities and services
