Project Overview
Woodside's Pluto LNG Project was one of the fastest developed liquefied natural gas project in the world, with first LNG delivered in May 2012. The Project processes gas from the Pluto and Xena gas fields, located about 190km north-west of Karratha in Western Australia, into LNG and condensate.
In 2009 MMA provided marine support to the Pluto shallow water pipelay, a contract awarded to Allseas Australia. Allseas' shallow water pipelay barge, the Tog Mor, layed 23km subsea pipeline from landfall to the deepwater section of the project where the deepwater pipelay vessel, the Audacia took over. MMA's role included the provision of a total marine package to support the Tog Mor's pipelaying operations as well as general supply duties in respect of the Audacia.
MMA mobilised the following vessels in support of the project:
- Star 2, a 72T AHTS. Delivered to MMA as a newbuild, the Star acted as primary tow vessel and AHT for the TOG Mor.
- Mermaid Supporter, a 65T AHT and secondary shallow water anchor handler.
- Mermaid Searcher, a Multi-Purpose Vessel with special purpose certificate, delivered as a new build especially for the project.
- Mermaid Carver, a 40T AZD in field support tug.
- Mermaid Constructor, a 250’ pipe barge.
- Maritime Dawn and Maritime Falcon 2 x 250' pipehaul barges. MMA project managed the preparation of these barges to meet strict project and AQIS requirements.
Vessels Utilised
- POSH Star 2, tow and AHT support
- Mermaid Supporter, AHT support
- Mermaid Carver, in field assist
- Mermaid Constructor, pipe barge
- Maritime Dawn, pipehaul
- Maritime Falcon, pipehaul
- Various MMA vessels, provided in field support and supply services.
Achievements & Project Outcomes
MMA was privileged to contribute to the enormously significant Gorgon project from both a supply base and marine services perspective.
At the time, MMA’s Supply Base was a hub of activity and the tonnage of freight processed through the facility and shipped to Barrow Island has steadily increased since 2009.
MMA personnel showed particular resourcefulness in adopting and executing Chevron's stringent Environmental and Quarantine procedures including taking the lead on remediation, washdown and final inspections.
At the height of construction activity, the MMA fleet dedicated to Gorgon has numbered 17 vessels.
On a number of occasions MMA conducted difficult international mobilisations and complex vessel modifications to solve specific challenges faced by the project. For example, MMA project managed the modification of the Toll Sandfly such that it met the particular project requirements for a fuel LTC. MMA also sourced and installed a desalination plant on the back of the Mermaid Vision, effectively mobilising a water-making and transporting vessel into the project.