The BW Opal floating vessel will supply the Darwin LNG plant for the next two decades. Credit: Piotr Swat/Shutterstock.com.

Santos, an Australian oil and gas company, has announced that the BW Opal floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel has received its first gas from the $4.5bn (A$6.83bn) Barossa LNG project offshore northern Australia.  

The floating unit serves as the central production hub for the Barossa project. 

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The news comes after the BW Opal reached its ready-for-start-up (RFSU) status on 16 September and gas began to flow from the subsea wells last week. 

The BW Opal FPSO is set to be permanently stationed in the Barossa gas field approximately 285km offshore from Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.  

This floating vessel will supply the Darwin LNG plant for the next two decades. 

Santos added that this marks a significant achievement for the company and its joint venture partners, PRISM Energy Australia and JERA Australia, in delivering the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. 

According to the company, all six wells drilled in the Barossa gas field have shown high reservoir quality, with testing completed on five wells. 

The wells’ flow capacity has exceeded initial estimates, with an anticipated average deliverability of approximately 300 million standard cubic feet per day (mscf/d). 

Additionally, the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority has renewed the Environment Protection Licence for Darwin LNG, effective from 19 September.  

This approval sets the stage for the introduction of the first gas and the commencement of operations at the Darwin LNG plant, stated Santos. 

Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said: “RFSU for the BW Opal marked the formal transition from project execution to production operations, following RFSU for the Darwin LNG plant upon completion of the life extension work scope and the commencement of production from the offshore subsea wells. 

“First gas into the FPSO is an important step for the project and a credit to the hard work of our people and support from our partners. 

“It puts us on track to deliver reliable energy to our customers and long-term value to our shareholders from Barossa LNG.” 

The BW Opal, one of the largest FPSOs ever constructed, includes a 358m hull and accommodates up to 140 personnel. 

It is equipped to handle 850mscf/d of gas and 11,000 barrels of condensate daily. 

The vessel leverages combined-cycle power generation technology to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions. 

With the RFSU status of the BW Opal, Santos will acknowledge a lease liability of approximately $665m and a right-of-use asset valued at around $1.4bn.