The development of the North West Shelf Venture 25 years ago marked the beginning of a new era for Australia’s oil and gas industry, according to the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA).
APPEA chief executive, Belinda Robinson, said that the Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry was first placed on the map back in 1989 with the sale of gas from the (now 5 train) Woodside-operated North West Shelf to customers throughout the Asia Pacific region.
“The North West Shelf Venture has been the lynchpin to LNG becoming a top 5 commodity export for Australia,” said Robinson.
Robinson said this project established Australia’s LNG industry and paved the way for new projects to proceed that has seen Australia become a leading exporter of LNG to the Asia Pacific region.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of domestic natural gas supplies from the North West Shelf Venture to Western Australia.
“For 25 years the North West Shelf Venture has delivered reliable and affordable natural gas for West Australian’s, today it contributes 65 per cent of Western Australia’s domestic gas supply,” said Robinson.
The North West Shelf is an iconic project for the local industry and for Australia, and this year is an important milestone for the project, says APPEA.