Bechtel Delivers Largest Greenfield Program in Its 118-year History

Start of operations for Australia Pacific LNG Train 2 marks completion of the Curtis Island LNG program

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Oct 11, 2016, 01:09 ET

GLADSTONE, Australia, Oct. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a six-year global design and construction effort, Bechtel announced today it has completed construction of the Curtis Island LNG program with Australia Pacific LNG starting sustained production from Train 2 of its facility. 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 historic megaproject construction program--QCLNG, Gladstone LNG (GLNG), and Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG)--is part of the largest concentration of private-capital investment in Australia's history. Curtis Island will produce approximately 25 million metric tons of LNG annually, accounting for roughly 8 percent of global LNG production, making Queensland a significant contributor to reducing global electricity-related greenhouse gas emissions.

The three simultaneous construction programs 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 tonnes per annum 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 program 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 programs 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 program included direct-hire construction on Curtis Island and modularization 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 program, Bechtel engaged with the nearby community and Australian authorities to develop and implement a number of programs 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.

The Curtis Island LNG program also recently won Engineering News-Record's 2016 "Global Best Project Award" in the power/industrial category for safe and innovative solutions to design and construction challenges, international teamwork, contribution to the community, and quality of design and construction work.

Bechtel is the global leader in the LNG industry as the company is responsible for developing nearly a third of the world's gas liquefaction capacity under construction today, including the Chevron-operated Wheatstone LNG project in Western Australia, and the first LNG export facility in the United States in over 40 years, Cheniere's Sabine Pass Liquefaction project.

A short overview of the Curtis Island LNG program can be viewed here.

Curtis Island Completion Milestones:

October 2016: Australia Pacific LNG Train 2 first cargo, marking completion of the Curtis Island LNG program
May 2016: Santos GLNG Train 2 produces first LNG
February 2016: Santos GLNG takes operational control of GLNG Train 1
January 2016: Australia Pacific LNG Train 1 first cargo
November 2015: QGC takes operational control of Queensland Curtis LNG project
October 2015: Santos GLNG Train 1 first cargo
July 2015: QCLNG train 2 first LNG cargo
December 2014: World-first LNG production from gas sourced from coal seams through QCLNG's Train 1

About Bechtel:

Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management, and construction companies in the world. We stand apart for our ability to get the job done right—no matter how big, how complex, or how remote. Bechtel operates through four global business units that specialize in infrastructure; mining and metals; nuclear, security and environmental; and oil, gas, and chemicals. Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Today, our 55,000 colleagues team with customers, partners, and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 40 countries. www.bechtel.com

Media contacts:
Iva Zagar
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c. +1 240 344 1173
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Rachael Layton (Australia)
t.+61 8 6140 1147
c. +61 419 607 378
[email protected]

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SOURCE Bechtel