Triangle Energy Global has risen past this year’s closure of BP’s Kwinana crude oil handling centre by cementing an export route for its Cliff Head oil to Asian crude markets, loading out through a newly established facility at the Port of Geraldton. Triangle has just loaded its first 24,500 barrels into the AB Paloma tanker with another 25,000 – 30,000 barrels to be added in the next six weeks.
WA’s oil industry was blindsided by BP’s decision in November 2020 to halt oil handling and refining operations from March this year, leaving producers scrambling to get their liquids to market.
The Cliff Head JV, or “CHJV” is operated by Triangle, with an almost-79 per cent stake. The Cliff Head oil field is off Dongara, 270km north of Perth. The CHJV has refurbished and expanded the storage capabilities at its onshore Arrowsmith Stabilisation plant and has started transporting its crude by road to new facilities in the Port of Geraldton where the oil is loaded onto chartered tankers and shipped to Singaporean markets.
The AB Paloma tanker has taken an initial 24,500 barrels on board and will remain on standby for about six weeks by which time Triangle expects another 25,000 to 30,000 barrels to be loaded.
The new route is a milestone for the CHJV and other WA producers, particularly in the re-energised Perth Basin, where potential gas production may have been constrained by an inability to deal with associated condensate and other liquid hydrocarbons.
The Port of Geraldton says the new tanker export route through Geraldton will help the supply chain and has demonstrates the Mid West Port Authority continues to provide viable trade opportunities.
Securing the new export route is particularly crucial to the CHJV because it expects a lift in oil production late next month when the workover of its CH10 well is complete. Long-lead items such as a new electrical submersible pump have been ordered and are planned to land later this month.
Triangle Energy Global Managing Director, Conrad Todd said: “This is an exciting time and a major turning point for the Cliff Head Joint Venture. The completion of the first export run for Cliff Head oil through the Port of Geraldton ensures that we will continue exporting and selling the oil produced from the Cliff Head Oil Field for the foreseeable future as we progress plans on the future utilisation of the Cliff Head facilities.”
Triangle Energy and partner Pilot Energy are currently finalising working arrangements for the future development plans at their Cliff Head project, with the focus on the development of a carbon capture and storage operation for third parties. If successful, the move could significantly extend the working life of the CHJV operations.
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By Matt Birney
