BY RAY SCIPPA

In late 2021, Origin Energy notified ConocoPhillips of its intent to sell 10% of its share in APLNG. 

As a venture partner, ConocoPhillips was entitled to make a “pre-emptive” offer. The Australia business unit (ABU) sprang into action, preparing an analysis to support a potential pre-emption.

“Working closely with Acquisitions & Divestitures and Investment Appraisal in Houston, we completed a detailed analysis that enabled the company to move swiftly,” said APLNG Non-operated JV Vice President Bryan Frisbie.  

The pre-emption notice was delivered to Origin in December and the successful pre-emption will bring additional production and distributions to the company. ConocoPhillips’ full-year 2021 production from APLNG was 113 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOED) and full-year 2021 financial distributions were approximately $750 million.

This was just one of several 2021 ABU accomplishments that garnered the team a coveted 2022 SPIRIT of Performance Award.  

Through operations and integrated planning excellence, Downstream Operations achieved 99% facility reliability and delivered a record 130 cargos – four more than the 2021 Annual Delivery Plan. Increased LNG cargos combined with excellence across the full APLNG value chain, led to record 2021 APLNG distributions.

The record was achieved even with the facility’s first major turnaround event – the Train 1 shutdown – that was completed on budget and within schedule despite rapidly escalating COVID-19 restrictions.    

The inability to mobilize critical technical resources prior to the Train 1 shutdown posed a threat to its scope, cost and schedule. In response, the Downstream Operations team employed a combination of rapid and innovative solutions to mitigate all threats to the shutdown and cargo deliveries.  

“Overcoming these challenges was a steppingstone to the ABU’s continued healthy future, providing great lessons learned to incorporate for the 2022 Train 2 shutdown event,” said Shutdown and Projects Manager Neil Grunwell. “It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of such a great multi-functional team.”  

“For me this speaks to the culture of our workforce and our team’s resilience to not only deliver key milestones, but to perform at a level that is consistent with best in class,” said Facility Manager Tristan Howes. “The consistency of these efforts allowed us to take four additional LNG Cargos to the global energy market, maximizing shareholder returns.”  

With several specialists unable to travel, the team relied on collaboration technologies to enable remote inspection assessments and regulatory approvals using video, photography and non-destructive testing data. One notable achievement was the Molecular Sieve media changeout. By using a robotic arm, the team completely emptied all four vessels without the need for risky confined space entry.  

“We invest time and effort in risk management, thorough work preparation and disciplined execution,” said HSE General Manager Jack Taylor. “This approach helps avoid unwanted, high potential events and promotes a safe and reliable operation.”  

At APLNG, Downstream Operations leverages innovative, pace-setter technologies to unlock operational efficiency including Advanced Process Control, refrigeration turbine efficiency improvements, and the deployment of Synthetic Flame Detection (SFD). APLNG is the first site in Australia to deploy SFD, which reduces fuel gas usage, lowers GHG emissions and increases facility thermal efficiency through its entire operating window.  

Downstream Operations Manager Dirk Faveere, who served as team lead for the APLNG Maximizing CFO Team, put its multiple 2021 accomplishments in perspective.  “It was truly inspiring to see so many achievements accomplished through remarkable teamwork and commitment.”