Chevron’s next expansion of the Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project offshore Western Australia’s north-west coast is expected to deliver a welcome jobs boost for the state.
Gorgon, about 150km north of Onslow off the WA coast, cost close to $70 billion to build and employed more than 10,000 workers at peak construction.
The operation comprises a three-train, 15.6 million tonne a year (Mt/y) LNG facility and domestic gas plant.
Chevron’s expansion of Gorgon will also cost several billion dollars and create hundreds of resources sector jobs, according to an ABC report.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the project would mean jobs and growth for the state, and employing local people would be emphasised.
“This is another sign that the West Australian economy is back on track and additional jobs will be created and there’s more opportunity for our citizens,” McGowan said.
The expansion will reportedly involve new wells in the Gorgon and Jansz-lo fields, and drilling, sub-sea installation and pipe-laying. Expansion of the major gas sub-sea expansion is already under way.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary Steve McCartney said Western Australians need to be the primary benefactors of the expansion.
He explained that Western Australia only got 23,000t of manufacturing from nearly 400,000t out of the last Gorgon project.
Gorgon is majority owned and operated by Chevron (47.3 per cent). Other staheholders include ExxonMobil (25 per cent), Shell (25 per cent), Osaka Gas (1.25 per cent), Tokyo Gas (1 per cent) and JERA (0.417 per cent).