Regional LNG: Release: Arrow on target to deliver world?s first coal seam gas to LNG shipment

Arrow Energy and its partner Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (LNGL) have stretched their lead in the race to deliver the world?s first coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment following government approval of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for their proposed LNG plant.

The plant to be sited at Fisherman?s Landing in Gladstone will now progress to the development approvals stage after LNGL today received the final Assessment Report on the EIS from the Queensland Government Department of Environmental and Resources Management.

LNGL Managing Director Maurice Brand said the report completed the EIS process and that assessment conditions and recommendations would be immediately implemented to obtain five specific approvals and enable a final investment decision to be made on the LNG plant by the end of the year.

?We are also actively working with the Gladstone Ports Corporation to obtain access to the site so that early site preparations works can commence in October this year,? Brand said.

Arrow Energy Managing Director Nick Davies shared Brand?s view that LNGL had achieved a significant milestone.

?The receipt of EIS approvals from the Queensland Government markedly increases our confidence to deliver the world?s first coal seam gas to LNG project,? Davies said.

?Arrow Energy?s vision to connect its vast coal seam gas resources with high value international markets is becoming clearer day by day.

?Great progress is being made on the development of a 450 km pipeline from our operations in the Surat Basin to Gladstone while the performance of our fields continues to rise and exceed expectations,? he said.

Davies comments follow an earlier announcement this week that Arrow had recorded impressive first gas flows from the Fort Cooper Coal Measures (FCCM) in the Bowen Basin which are estimated to contain around 20 TCF (21,050 PJ).

The Assessment Report for the Gladstone LNG Project at Fisherman?s Landing can be viewed at www.epa.qld.gov.au (end of release)