Inpex processing facility moored in Browse Basin

A giant floating LNG processing facility towed by tug boats from South Korea has been safely moored in the off shore Browse Basin, about 220 kilometres from Broome.

The Inpex-operated Ichthys Explorer will be located in the same position for 40 years.

The massive structure is the world’s largest semi-submersible platform, weighing 120,000 tonnes and with a topsides footprint measuring 130 metres by 120 metres.

Ichthys LNG project managing director Louis Bon said the mooring - in the 250-metre deep waters of the Ichthys Field - marked another significant milestone for the project.

The operation involved connecting 28 pre-installed mooring chains - weighing more than 25,000 tonnes - from the seabed to the central hub.

Gas from the facility will be sent through an 890-kilometre under water pipeline to the onshore LNG plant near Darwin for processing.

The Explorer is the central hub for initial offshore processing of all fluids delivered from a 130-kilometre network of sub-sea well infrastructure.

Gas from the facility will be sent through an 890-kilometre under water pipeline to the onshore LNG facility near Darwin for processing.

Condensate arriving to the Explorer will be transferred to a nearby floating production, storage and offloading facility, the Ichthys Venturer.

The Explorer will initially process fluids delivered from a 130-kilometre network of sub-sea well infrastructure.