Re-purposing onshore and offshore infrastructure for CCUS in Gippsland
Alan Black A * and Xavier Duthie BA ExxonMobil Australia, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
B Advisian Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
The APPEA Journal 63 S347-S350 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22134
Accepted: 15 March 2023 Published: 11 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
With the race to decarbonise in full swing how do carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects get a head start? This paper explores the journey the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture has gone through to identify and exploit the advantages that its existing infrastructure presents in order to progress world-class CCUS opportunities. Drawing on examples across the full CO2 supply chain it details how re-use of existing infrastructures can achieve positive results in terms of cost, schedule and the environment. Hydrocarbon production from the Bream Field ceased in 2020. Normally this would put the platform and associated infrastructure on the path to decommissioning and removal. Instead Bream will continue to have a bright future storing CO2 supplied via a re-used gas export pipeline. Technical evaluations have considered how to safely handle CO2, what parts of the asset could be re-used, what new kit is required and what should be decommissioned. Powered by a hybrid renewables system the new-look injection platform will be remotely operated storing up to 2 MTA. At the Longford Gas Plant the focus has been how to efficiently capture CO2 in order to meet the requirements of multiple purification plants and the Bream sequestration project. Plant trials and testing have determined how to optimise gas processing for integrated CCUS operations. Opportunities to leverage existing power, utilities and process equipment have been included in design through careful brownfield assessment. Supporting this is a cross-functional team rapidly enhancing their hydrocarbon toolkit with the opportunities that CCUS integration presents.
Keywords: Bream, CCS, CCUS, Gippsland, infrastructure re-use, Longford, offshore, onshore.
Alan Black has 20 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. Alan is currently a Facilities Engineering Advisor for Esso Australia working on carbon capture utilisation and storage projects. He joined Esso Australia in 2008 and has worked in a range of onshore and offshore technical and project roles. Prior to this he worked for Shell in production and project roles in the North Sea and Russia. Alan holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and Bachelor of Science from Melbourne University, as well as a Master of Technology (Petroleum) from Curtin University. He is chartered with Engineers Australia and IChemE. |
Xavier Duthie is a Senior Associate in Advisian’s Decarbonisation Team in Melbourne. He received his PhD from the University of Melbourne where he investigated the performance of polymeric gas separation membranes at elevated temperature, with a particular focus on application to carbon capture and storage. He has over 15 years of professional experience in complex engineering design, major project development and technology innovation, with deep experience in the energy and resource sectors. Recently his work has particularly focused on carbon capture and storage, decarbonising heavy industrial processes and clean technology. |
