Inpex Completes Dredging for Shipping, Gas Pipeline for Ichthys LNG Project

Japan's Inpex Corporation (Inpex) announced Monday the on-schedule completion of the Ichthys LNG Project’s dredging program in Darwin Harbour in the Northern Territory of Australia. The program, which began in August 2012, involved the safe dredging and disposal of more than 565 cubic million feet (16 million cubic meters) of rock and sand from the harbor to create a deep shipping channel and berthing area for large liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and condensate carriers servicing LNG processing facilities at Bladin Point near Darwin.

A separate dredging program for the Ichthys LNG Project’s gas export pipeline has also been completed with dredgers demobilized July 23.

To date, the Ichthys LNG Project’s extensive public environmental monitoring program has recorded only a few minor impacts in Darwin Harbour, which are in line with original predictions.

“The dredging campaign was also our most visible piece of work in Darwin and an opportunity to show that we could meet our commitments to the community, including environment and heritage commitments. At the peak of the dredging campaign we had more than 300 people working on the program, as well as a range of local businesses including subcontractors for auxiliary marine equipment, workshop, welders, catering, accommodation and transport."

(downstreamtodayEdited by Topco)