Bechtel has initiated the controlled ignition of the Queensland Curtis Island LNG flare, as natural gas is introduced into the plant.
The flaring is taking place as part of the normal sequence of processes to test and prepare parts of the first production unit of the QCLNG plant.
This will allow commissioning of the refrigeration turbines and compressors to start, before cooling Train 1 and producing first LNG in the fourth quarter of this year.
It follows the start of commissioning of the gas turbine generators in the second quarter of the year. It is expected that the first generator will start providing power to the plant shortly.
Following the start-up of operations, QCLNG will have the second most greenhouse gas efficient plant in the world after Snohvit in Norway. Using GE technology, the plant will operate with 27% less greenhouse emissions than the initial concept design.
Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward