Ann: Proteus-1 Progress Report No 11 , page-94

Not really a surprise.

Australia-based Woodside Petroleum Ltd. recommended Tuesday that the Browse Joint Venture participants use floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) technology as the development concept to commercialize the three Browse gas fields off Western Australia.

The concept, which involve using Shell’s FLNG technology and Woodside’s offshore development expertise for the Browse LNG Development, requires the approval of the Browse Joint Venture participants before progressing through to the Basis of Design phase.

Woodside said the choice of an FLNG development follows an evaluation of alternative concepts for the Browse project after the announcement in April not to proceed with the onshore development at James Price Point in the north-west of Western Australia. Other development concepts considered by Woodside included a pipeline to existing facilities in the Pilbara region and a modified option in the Kimberley.

“Through this review, a compelling case has emerged for floating LNG as the best option for early commercialization of the world-class Browse resource,” Woodside CEO Peter Coleman said in a press release.

The Browse LNG project's three gas and condensate fields - Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa - are estimated to hold combined contingent volumes of 15.9 trillion cubic feet of dry gas and 436 million barrels of condensate.

Partners in the Browse Joint Venture are operator Woodside, Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd., BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd., Japan Australia LNG (MIMI Browse) Pty Ltd. and PetroChina International Investment (Australia) Pty Ltd.