Editorial comment
As Australia underlines its position as a world leading LNG nation with its Gorgon project – multi-billion dollar investment freshly approved - it seems that the project’s owners and partners; Chevron, ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell, will continue to wield a level of control over the region equivalent to their mythological ‘gorgon’ counterparts.
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As Australia underlines its position as a world leading LNG nation with its Gorgon project – multi-billion dollar investment freshly approved - it seems that the project’s owners and partners; Chevron, ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell, will continue to wield a level of control over the region equivalent to their mythological ‘gorgon’ counterparts. Happily situated offshore one of the world’s most politically stable countries, the project is ideally set to serve the rest of Australasia. With AUS$ 300 billion of gas exports predicted for the project over the next 20 years and its planned expansion to the extent of crowding out a number of other LNG projects in the region, the project has the potential to be less of a gorgon, more of a leviathan.
Much to its credit, the environmental achievements of the Gorgon project have been highly lauded. An extra AU$ 30 million has been put aside to protect a colony of flatback turtles near Barrow Island, and only 3% of the surrounding coral area will be negatively impacted by dredging. Excess emissions will be pumped into rock 2 km deep - forming the world’s largest CO2 geological storage project.
8000 miles away from this burgeoning hub of activity, this issue of LNG Industry will be distributed at the World Gas Conference in Argentina. South America as a whole is seeing developments of its own, albeit with a backdrop decidedly less politically stable than that enjoyed by Australia. The Energy Industries Council has provided us with an overview of the ‘energetic’ South American LNG market starting on page 10 of this issue.
October will also see the launch of Palladian Publications’ exciting new website, www.lngindustry.com, which will expand on all areas of our well established magazine base. A dedicated LNG section will provide up to date information on global industry developments, regional commentary and insight into challenges the industry is facing, by industry experts. Subscribers will also, for the first time, have the added bonus of being able to download a digital edition of the magazine before the printed copy is released. Energy Global will be the place to go for industry information between issues of LNG Industry. I hope that you enjoy this issue. See you in Argentina!