Longford Quarterly Update - June 2024
In this update to our Longford Plants neighbours, Manager Clinton Gentle, highlights decommissioning works in Bass Strait.
After more than 50 years of producing energy for Australians, a number of our predominantly crude oil producing platforms in Bass Strait are now reaching the end of their productive life. We are now working on plans to responsibly remove these platforms in our first decommissioning campaign in Bass Strait.
Our Decommissioning Campaign 1 project will include the removal of the topsides of up to 13 facilities, two monotowers, and the upper jacket sections of up to 10 steel piled jacket facilities.
Removing these platforms is a huge job and to enable them to be removed safely and efficiently, a heavy lift vessel, the Pioneering Spirit, along with multiple support vessels, will be used to remove and transport the platforms to Barry Beach Marine Terminal for dismantling, recycling, and disposal. This activity will commence in late 2026 and be completed in 2028.
The Helix Q7000 semisubmersible vessel also recently arrived in Bass Strait and will be commencing plug and abandonment work on two of our exploration wells, Gudgeon and Terakihi.
The team at Longford are also in the process of regenerating Gas Plant 2, installing a new liquid treating facility to expand its capability. Work is well underway with expected completion later this year.
All of these works will ultimately complete the transition from a crude oil producing business to a predominantly gas producing business and enable Esso to continue providing local employment opportunities in the region as well as contribute to the Gippsland economy well into the next decade.
Our Heliport team also recently participated in the Sale ANZAC Airshow in April, displaying one of our Italian built AW139 helicopters on site. The Esso Heliport employs over 60 people and over the years, we have been a strong supporter of the local community along with the aviation industry, training a significant number of pilots and over 30 young apprentice aircraft engineers who have all gone on to support the industry worldwide.
On the community front, I am really pleased to note that our recent donation to Mirboo North & District Community Foundation has allowed their Storm Cell Volunteers to assist more than 300 homeowners whose properties were damaged by the storm in February. I would like to personally thank the volunteers for their support and their personal time they have contributed to help the community.
To celebrate NAIDOC week, some of my team members and I will be attending Ramahyuck’s NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony on 8 July. I am looking forward to acknowledging an important occasion and learning more about Aboriginal history and culture and hope to see some of our community there.
As always if you have any questions, please reach out to me at consultation@exxonmobil.com.