The project includes the drilling of shore crossings to connect the upstream facilities for the Gorgon project to the onshore infrastructure on Barrow Island, located off the coast of northern Western Australia.
The project comprises nine HDD landfalls: eight for gas flow line and umbilical connections and one “÷water-wining’ hole to bring ashore the water needed for drilling fluid.
Minimal impact on the environment is extremely important for the project as the landfalls come ashore under North Whites Beach, one of the principal rookeries for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), which has a conservation status of vulnerable.
The trenchless technique will be used in order to minimise any environmental impact. AJ Lucas has ordered two new Herrenknecht HDD rigs, along with two new custom-built Brandt mud systems and five new Gardner-Denver PZ8 mudpumps. The equipment will be made soundproof and site carefully designed to reduce the impact on local fauna and marine life.
AJ Lucas CEO Allan Campbell said “Lucas prides itself on its horizontal directional drilling capability to minimise any environmental footprint.”
In January AJ Lucas was recognised for their eco-friendly technologies and received the Special Award for Infrastructure at the Ethical Investor’s ninth annual Australian Sustainability Awards.
Engineering work is already underway, and site works are expected to begin in May 2010.
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