wheatstone project boosts western australia domestic gas capacity

PERTH, 23 August 2023 – Western Australia's domestic gas production capacity is increasing, following technical enhancements and plant modifications to increase production rates at the domestic gas facility at the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project near Onslow.

The official nameplate capacity of Wheatstone's domestic gas plant will increase from 205 terajoules per day to 215 terajoules per day - an increase of 5 per cent.

Chevron Australia Managing Director Mark Hatfield said the plant modifications and subsequent high-rate production trial undertaken over the past year had confirmed the facility was able to maintain safe and reliable domestic gas production at increased rates across a range of temperature conditions and operating environments. 

“Chevron is one of WA’s major domestic gas suppliers, currently operating facilities that produce almost half of the state’s gas supply, helping to underpin energy security and economic prosperity,” Hatfield said. 

“The gas we produce is used in the electricity that powers homes and businesses, and supports key industries like mining, minerals processing and manufacturing, which is why we are pleased to have the confidence to increase domestic gas capacity from the Wheatstone Project on an ongoing basis.”

Hatfield said further work would be undertaken over coming months to trial even higher domestic gas production rates. 

“Recognising the critical role of natural gas for WA industry and communities, we will continue to explore operational efficiencies and equipment enhancements at Wheatstone that could increase domestic gas capacity even further,” he said.

The Wheatstone domestic gas nameplate change will be reflected on the Gas Bulletin Board WA which is operated by the Australian Energy Market Operator. 

Wheatstone is operated by Chevron Australia and is a joint venture between the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (64.14 percent), Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) (13.4 percent), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (13 percent), and Kyushu Electric Power Company (1.46 percent), together with PE Wheatstone Pty Ltd, part-owned by JERA (8 percent).