The Waitsia Stage 1 Expansion is nearing the end of commissioning and testing.

The MEPAU Project Director says the project construction and commissioning process has progressed steadily and the wells and plant will be able to commence production soon with commercial gas production starting a few weeks later.

The project has run smoothly from the outset. Local and WA based contractors were used extensively and the expansion was delivered within budget, on schedule, and with no issues even within the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The Project Director says it’s an exciting time in the life of the Waitsia gas field, which was discovered in 2014, with Stage 1A commissioned in 2016. The Stage 1 Expansion both doubles production and increases access to market via the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP).

The DBNGP services over 90% of the Perth metro area, allowing gas from the Waitsia field to flow into many Western Australian homes and businesses through a contract with Alinta Gas.

Although the current gas contract is for 20 TJ of gas per day, MEPAU is already considering the potential for Stage 1 production beyond this level to meet any additional market interest.