Inpex yet to set timeline to relocate transfer helicopters for Ichthys Project in Browse Basin back to Broome International Airport

Resources giant Inpex has not revealed a timeline for moving its helicopter transfer point for offshore operations in the North West back to Broome. The company uses the Broome International Airport heliport as a main base to fly workers out to its Ichthys LNG project in the Browse Basin, off the Kimberley coast, with the remote Djarindjin Airport utilised as a refuelling station. But Inpex shifted its transfers more than 600km away to Mungalalu Truscott Airbase at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April to protect the Kimberley’s vulnerable community members after the region was declared a biosecurity area with heavy travel restrictions. At the time, the corporation said the move would be temporary to protect the health and wellbeing of residents by minimising exposure to people from outside the region. Although the Biosecurity Act covering the Kimberley and all intrastate travel restrictions were lifted last month, Inpex said it was still unsure when it would move its operations back to Broome. In a statement to the Broome Advertiser last week, Inpex deputy corporate co-ordination vice-president Bill Townsend said the company was continuing to “closely monitor the spread of COVID-19” in Australia. “At the time of relocating our transfer operations, we anticipated to stay at Truscott for at least six months,” he said. “The health and wellbeing of the community and our personnel remains our highest priority. “We highly value the services in Broome and Djarindjin which under normal circumstances support the safe transfer of our personnel to and from our offshore facilities. “We are also proud of the economic contribution we make to the Kimberley region.” A 2018 report found that more than 30 local businesses were used to support the company’s operations in Broome, including helicopter operators and hotels. It showed that between Inpex and Shell, which operate the Prelude FLNG facility in the Browse Basin, more than 2000 workers were using accommodation in Broome for at least one night during each monthly fly-in, fly-out cycle from Perth and spent money on food and drink in town. Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Peter Taylor said he was confident Inpex would continue making a positive contribution locally. “Regional economies like ours need as much help as possible over the months and years ahead,” he said. “Inpex well understands the important and positive impact they have on the local economy through crew transfers, the heliport and increased flight schedules.” BIA was contacted for comment.