Gas pipe rigs arrive near 12 Apostles

SHIPS that will install pipelines to send gas from under the ocean floor to a Victorian plant have arrived in the Otway Basin.

Beach Energy reported that a subsea installation vessel left the United Kingdom in December last year and was due to arrive during February this year.

Beach’s latest quarterly reports stated that the 159-metre ship Scandi Acergy was on its way to its Thylacine development wells – which are located between 32 and 80 kilometres offshore of Port Campbell, near the 12 Apostles and the rock formation’s marine national park.

The company also reportedly contracted the multi-purpose offshore vessel MMA Coral to support its Bass Strait production activities, including subsea inspection and survey services, and support for future drilling activities.

Ship tracking resource MarineTraffic indicated MMA Coral was in the Thylacine development area earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Beach stated that delivery of equipment such as pipes and hydraulic and electrical flying leads, diving construction and engineering had all been completed for the gas well off Victoria’s south-west coast.

“Connection of the Thylacine wells is on schedule and awaiting approval of the Thylacine Installation and Commissioning Environment Plan,” Beach’s December 2022 quarterly report stated.

“This final approval will allow for all outstanding connection activities to be completed.”

The developments follow an 18-month drilling campaign that ended mid-last year, which Beach called the largest in the history of the region.

Meanwhile, Beach said it was also progressing connection of its Enterprise wells, which are closer to shore in state waters, but the plan has been delayed until at least later this year as the company seeks approval.