Moomba to resume normal gas supplies ahead of schedule
Posted: 07 February 2004
Gas supplies from the Moomba plant are expected to return to normal
by next weekend – ahead of schedule and in excess of previously
forecast levels.
Santos Limited announced supplies were expected to increase to
about 550 terajoules per day (TJ/d) by next weekend, well above
the historic summer demand from Moomba of around 400-450 TJ/d.
The higher volumes will represent the achievement of Stage 3 of
the planned return to production after fire damaged the Moomba plant
on New Year’s Day.
The 550 TJ/d compares with daily Moomba output of 400-450 TJ/d
previously forecast under Stage 3 of the restoration of supply schedule.
It more than doubles the 200 TJ/d currently supplied from Moomba
in recent weeks under Stages 1 and 2 of the schedule to return Moomba
to full operations.
“Moomba’s imminent return to normal sales gas supply
is one to two weeks ahead of our previous estimate,” Santos’
Managing Director, Mr John Ellice-Flint said today.
“The achievement of daily supplies of about 550TJ should
eliminate any gas supply concerns for consumers in South Australia
and New South Wales,” Mr Ellice-Flint said.
“This reflects the success of the ongoing, efforts of Santos
employees and contractors to repair the plant while maximising supply
through undamaged sections,” Mr Ellice-Flint said.
“Stage 3 also represents the first time we have been able
to process gas through repaired sections of the plant damaged in
the New Year’s Day incident.
“This includes bringing the gas chilling circuit back into
service — a significant milestone in Moomba resuming normal
operations.
Mr Ellice-Flint also announced today that work was well advanced
on the longer-term Stage 4 repair schedule, designed to bring Moomba’s
potential output to about 650 TJ/d.
“More than six kilometres of new cabling has been installed
since New Year’s Day, more than 60 valves inspected, some
20 valves - each weighing up to half a tonne — removed and
sent offsite for repair, and specialist instrumentation and other
material flown in from the United States and United Kingdom.
“This has involved dedicated direct airfreight services to
Moomba to keep the repair schedule on track, and significant support
and round-the-clock effort from everyone involved.”
For more information see www.santos.com
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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