Chevron inspects heat exchangers at Gorgon LNG facility

US oil major Chevron is inspecting propane heat exchangers on the second train of its Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Western Australia following maintenance checks, which were due to be completed by 11 July.

The Gorgon LNG project is the country’s most prominent single resource natural gas project and features among the largest natural gas projects in the world.

Reuters cited two undisclosed industry sources as saying that the inspections are delaying the resumption of operations of the second train at the LNG plant.

Scheduled maintenance work on the train is mechanically complete, according to a Chevron spokesman.

The news agency quoted the spokesman as stating: “Inspections are ongoing on the Gorgon LNG Train 2 propane heat exchangers. The relevant regulatory bodies have been informed.

“Maintenance turnarounds are a regular part of safely operating natural gas plants and provide an opportunity to undertake various inspections, repairs and equipment change-outs to ensure safe and reliable operations.”

With a 47.3% share, Chevron Australia is the operator of the project. Shell Development Australia and ExxonMobil Australia Resources own 25% interest each. The remaining stake is owned by Japan’s Osaka Gas, Tokyo Gas, and JERA.

Chevron recently said it will acquire all of independent oil and natural gas E&P firm Noble Energy’s shares after the companies signed a $5bn definitive agreement or $10.38 a share.

Earlier this month, Chevron’s wholly owned subsidiary Chevron Australia Downstream acquired Puma Energy (Australia) Holdings for A$425m ($292.2m).

In a separate development, oil and gas EPC services firm Black & Veatch and Hexagon’s PPM division have formed a technology partnership to further advance engineering design into the digital age.

Black & Veatch has focused on expanding the functionalities of Hexagon’s ‘Intergraph Smart’ set of design tools to facilitate integrated engineering design for its oil and gas business.