BW Opal FPSO achieves key commissioning milestone at Barossa LNG project

(WO) — BW Offshore has completed the Interim Performance Test (IPT) for the BW Opal FPSO, marking a key commissioning milestone for the Santos-operated Barossa LNG project offshore northern Australia. 

According to BW Offshore, the successful test confirms that the vessel's production, processing and utility systems are operating in an integrated manner and are capable of delivering stable performance under production conditions.

The milestone follows the restart of production in early May. Since then, BW Opal has continued gas production and export activities as part of the project's ongoing ramp-up and commissioning program, in coordination with Santos.

BW Offshore said it remains focused on maintaining safe and stable operations while completing the remaining commissioning activities required ahead of Practical Completion.

Practical Completion will trigger the start of the long-term firm contract period for the FPSO.

The BW Opal FPSO is a central component of the Barossa development, which is expected to supply natural gas to the Darwin LNG facility as Australia continues to develop new sources of LNG feed gas.

Above image: BW Offshore.