Subsea contracts awarded for Barossa gas project offshore Australia

ADELAIDE, Australia – ConocoPhillips has awarded the main outstanding contracts for the subsea infrastructure for the Barossa project, 300 km (186 mi) north of Darwin, northern Australia, in the NT/RL5 petroleum permit.

According to partner Santos, these are the last major facilities commitments ahead of a final investment decision (FID), expected in 2Q 2020.

Subsea 7 will transport, install and pre-commission 36 km (22 mi) of in-field flowlines, along with the subsea umbilicals and risers, in water depths of 230-270 m (754-886 ft).

The company expects to execute the offshore campaign during 2022-23, using various reel-lay and heavy construction vessels.

Aker Solutions will provide the umbilicals and National Oilwell Varco Denmark the flexible risers.

According to Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher, the contract for drilling of the production wells should also follow shortly.

Barossa will be developed via an FPSO, six subsea production wells, in-field facilities and a gas export pipeline tied into the Bayu-Undan to Darwin pipeline system that supplies gas to Darwin LNG.

Santos holds a 25% interest in the Barossa joint venture along with partners ConocoPhillips (37.5% and operator) and SK E&S (37.5%). Santos is also a joint venture partner in Darwin LNG with an 11.5% interest.

Last October, Santos agreed to acquire ConocoPhillips’ Northern Australia and Timor-Leste portfolio including its interests in Darwin LNG, Bayu-Undan and Barossa.

Once the transaction is completed, Santos plans to sell down equity in Barossa to 40-50% in order to achieve increased partner alignment.