The Western Australian Government has teamed up with the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the LNG industry to develop a world-first microscale LNG plant, as part of an LNG Futures Facility in Kwinana.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan said this is a major investment to further position Western Australia as a global LNG hub.
“The LNG Futures Facility will future-proof Western Australia’s LNG industry and shows the world that Western Australia is a global leader in the development of LNG technologies.
“Western Australia has the local talent and expertise to help shape the LNG jobs and operations of the future, and this facility will only strengthen the State’s unique advantages,” he said.
The State Government will provide $10 million over ten years and grant suitable land in the Kwinana industrial precinct to support the development of the LNG Futures Facility.
The proposed facility would position Western Australia as a global leader in the development and testing of new technologies and processes, with the potential to create up to 1,400 jobs.
The industry-led initiative has been backed by UWA, Chevron, Shell, Hyundai Heavy Industries and National Energy Resources Australia, and is a priority of the LNG Jobs Taskforce.
The Taskforce hopes to create new opportunities for industry on the back of Western Australia’s competitively priced gas supply and position as a global LNG hub, servicing Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Chaired by the Premier, the taskforce includes Chevron, Woodside, Shell, Santos and Inpex, as well as representatives from APPEA and UnionsWA.
LNG companies, contractors, service providers and small to medium businesses would be able to test and refine new processes in a live plant environment. It is expected the plant would have the capacity to produce ten tonnes of LNG per day.
The UWA consortium will now use the State Government funding commitment to help leverage Commonwealth Government and other industry support for the facility, with a final investment decision expected later in 2019.
“The State Government will work together with UWA and all industry partners to secure Commonwealth Government support and bring this project to fruition,” Mr McGowan said.
