Regional LNG: North West Shelf invests A$32 million to reduce air emissions

Australia's North West Shelf Venture said on Friday it would install new technology worth more than A$32 million to reduce air emission from its onshore gas plant at Karratha in Western Australia.

In a report sent to Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), the company said the technology changes would result in emission reductions, including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX), greenhouse gases and hydrocarbons.

It will install new equipment which will change the carbon dioxide absorption process on its existing three LNG processing units in 2004-2005, at a cost of more than A$26 million. This will include modifying similar processing systems on its fourth LNG train, which is due for start up in mid-2004.

A further technology improvement to enhance the combustion of fuel gases in the plant's existing 25 gas turbines will cost more than A$6 million.

These combined improvements are expected to reduce NOx emissions from the plant by 25 percent and BTX by up to 75 percent, the company said.

The firm is equally owned by Woodside Energy Ltd. (operator), BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty. Ltd, BP Developments Australia Pty. Ltd, ChevronTexaco Australia Pty Ltd, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty. Ltd, and Shell Development (Australia) Proprietary Limited. (*)