Broome to serve as air, sea and land hub for Prelude

Broome will play a vital role in serving the multi-billion dollar Prelude floating liquefied gas field project — from flights and ships and to providing temporary hotel accommodation for more than 100 FIFO workers.

Energy giant Shell last week said well drilling would soon begin in the Browse Basin, about 470km km off the Broome coast.

The town will serve as a logistics, aviation and shipping base for the project.

A large compound near the wharf is currently being used to store massive pipes that will be shipped out and used as part of the drilling, which is expected to start by mid-year.

Broome Port Authority will accommodate vessels and shipping equipment for the site and Broome International Airport will be used as the aviation base for about 150 FIFO contractors.

The crews will be flown to and from the rig by helicopter on a rotational basis — meaning there will be about 10 of the in town daily on average at any one time during production.

Shell was uncertain of drilling rosters.

Taxi and bus services would also be required to transport them between the airport and the wharf.

The Noble Clyde Boudreaux drilling rig is planned to complete the development of seven production wells for Prelude.

Three platform supply vessels will support the rig from town.

Broome International Airport chief executive Nick Belyea welcomed Shell establishing its aviation base in Broome and “to be operating through the town’s world class heliport”.

“The flow of offshore workers and others connected with the FLNG will certainly assist Broome to retain its airline schedules which in turn not only benefits Broome and the wider Kimberley community but other industries such as tourism which is struggling in the current climate,” he said.

Port of Broome chief executive Vic Justice said the project would lead to more local jobs and bolster the local economy.

“We welcome the business and employment opportunities that will result from this project on an extended basis,” he said.

Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it hoped the appeal of the town would lead to some FIFO workers calling Broome home.

Chamber chief executive Mary Ann Petersen said she expected this would minimise the negative effect of FIFO workers and provide long-term economic and social benefits to town growth.

Shell Australia’s general manager production Michael Schoch said the floating LNG facility was expected to be on site and operating by 2017.

It is expected to deliver the first gas production from the Browse Basin and be one of a growing number of oil and gas projects that will use Broome as a base for exploration and development in the immediate region.

“Prelude’s operations will provide job and business opportunities for people in the Kimberley over its 25-year life, whilst having a minimal impact on the environment,” he said. “We have two full-time project staff working in Broome at the moment in addition to Shell’s fuel terminal staff, with a number visiting Broome to work on a regular basis.

Mr Schoch said the project was providing contract logistics jobs, with numbers likely to increase with Shell’s activities ramp-up in town.

Prelude Floating LNG

■ Shell awarded exploration permit in the Browse basin in 2006.

■ Prelude gas field found in January 2007, then Concerto gas field in March 2009.

■ The relatively small Prelude and Concerto gas fields are ideal for development using Shell’s floating LNG technology.

■ Final investment decision taken by Shell board in May 2011.

■ Once operating, capacity 3.6 million tonnes per annum of LPG, 1.3mpta of condensate and 0.4mtpa of LPG.

■ Broome will be the aviation and port base for the project.