Western Australia Records Big LNG Increase

Western Australia's minerals sales were A$105bn in the 12 month period ending June 2017, an increase of 19% over the previous 12 month period, the regional government's Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety said September 29.

The volume of LNG produced reached a record 28.7mn metric tons, up 18%, following the start-up of Chevron's Gorgon LNG project and record production from the North West Shelf and Pluto LNG projects, all located in Western Australia.

The region's LNG volumes have increased by 45% in the past five years, the department added.

From three LNG export projects currently, the state is expected to have five operating in 2018 with a total capacity of close to 50mn mt/yr.

Shardul Sharma