The FLNG facility and associated infrastructure will produce gas from three groups of fields that are within three permit areas. The three permit areas are located in the eastern region of the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Offshore Area, and consist of the Cash-Maple field (AC/RL7), the Southern group of fields (AC/L7) and the Oliver field (AC/P33). PTTEP is the owner and operator of all fields.

PTTEP told the environmental regulator it would not be economically viable to pipe gas to onshore processing fields from these remote areas using traditional means, and that an FLNG vessel would “lessen the physical and environmental footprint of the development”.

The company anticipates that between 11 and 21 production wells will be required across the three groups of fields, with five wells across the southern group of fields, three wells in the Oliver field and between three to 13 wells in the Cash-Maple field.

With regulator approval, the company anticipates beginning front-end engineering and design work for the proposed project in the Timor Sea at the end of 2011, and deciding in Q4 2012 whether or not to progress with final investment decision for the project.

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Although FLNG is a relatively new technology, it is not without precedence, with SEWPAC approving the Shell Prelude FLNG facility in 2008.

PTTEP and its largest share-holder PTT set up a joint 50-50 per cent owned company in 2010 to carry out all business related to an FLNG project.