Chevron LNG plant in Australia remains shut after cyclone

Chevron said its Wheatstone liquefied natural gas plant in Western Australia had sustained extensive damage from Tropical Cyclone Narelle. As a result, both production trains at the 8.9 million tonne-per-year facility have been shut down.

According to Danny Woodall, operations and maintenance director for Australia, the air-cooled heat exchangers were particularly affected. A specialist team is already working on repairs.

He added that the damage is more extensive than at the Gorgon plant, Australia’s largest LNG export facility, and more severe than in previous cyclones in the region.

The company has previously warned that a return to full operations at Wheatstone is not expected in the coming weeks. The disruption may affect LNG output and supply from the facility.

Chevron is a US energy company and a major player in Australia’s LNG sector, operating several key projects in the country.

(reuters, max)