Bechtel delivers largest greenfield program in its history

Following a six-year global design and construction effort, Bechtel has now delivered all six liquefied natural gas (LNG) production trains to three customers – QGC, Santos GLNG, and Australia Pacific LNG – on Curtis Island, off the shore of Queensland, just north of the city of Gladstone.

The three simultaneous construction programmes are part of the largest concentration of private-capital investment in Australia's history. The three facilities have the combined capacity to supply 25 million tpy of LNG – equal to about 8% of the world's production.

"Completion of the unprecedented scale of engineering and construction work on Curtis Island in Australia is a historic achievement for Bechtel, the largest greenfield programme we delivered since the company was founded in 1898," said Alasdair Cathcart, President of Bechtel's Oil, Gas and Chemicals business unit. "No company has ever attempted to build three simultaneous construction programmes in one location. Successful delivery of reliable gas liquefaction facilities along with sustainable local benefits is a testament to the talent and ingenuity of our global team, collaborative relationship with the three customers, the excellence of our extensive global supply chain, and the immense support of the Gladstone community. Thanks and congratulations to the entire team on achieving the extraordinary."

Design and construction of the three LNG plants was a global effort that peaked at more than 30 000 people across seven countries on four continents, including at one point employing almost 14 500 colleagues in Gladstone alone. Execution of the programme included direct-hire construction on Curtis Island and modularisation of major plant components in Bechtel-operated yards in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

As part of the company's sustainability efforts for the Curtis Island programe, Bechtel engaged with the nearby community and Australian authorities to develop and implement a number of programmes targeted at developing Australian craft workforce and increase local participation in the construction of the LNG plants. Bechtel's goals aimed at building the local economy included hiring and mentoring 436 apprentices for the project, with an additional 11 000 people receiving accredited training. Other sustainability objectives included successfully protecting the environment by rehabilitating 65 acres of land with indigenous seeds as well as recycling 57 500+ yd³ of waste.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/12102016/bechtel-delivers-largest-greenfield-program-in-its-history/