One of Australia’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing facilities has opened in Darwin, with 70 per cent of its production going straight to Japanese customers.
The Ichthys LNG Project features some of the world’s largest offshore facilities, linked to its onshore processing facilities near Darwin by the longest subsea pipeline in the southern hemisphere.
The project is scheduled to produce more than ten per cent of Japan’s annual LNG imports – or around 8.9 million tonnes of LNG – at peak production.
Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hiroshige Sekō, helped officially open the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project’s onshore processing facilities at Bladin Point in Darwin.
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Matt Canavan, said the project, which has an estimated 40-year lifespan, represented the largest Japanese investment in Australian history and the largest overseas investment by a Japanese company.
“Today’s opening marks the beginning of decades of continued economic benefits for Australia, and the nation’s north in particular,” Mr Canavan said.
“The Ichthys LNG Project created thousands of jobs during its development and construction, and we are going to see ongoing employment, contracting and investment opportunities for generations to come, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The project is another strong link between Australia and Japan, delivering energy security for Japan while providing sustained economic opportunities for Australia. It is a great example of significant foreign investment creating positive outcomes at the local level.”
