APACHE Energy says it is confident its Varanus Island gas processing plant will return to partial production within a few months.
An explosion on 3 June 2008 had disrupted a third of Western Australia’s domestic gas supply, resulting in industry-wide implications.
The company says it has successfully secured the piping material needed for the repairs from local sources, with difficult-to-source valving to come from the United Kingdom. The materials will arrive soon.
The energy provider has also pledged to increase the number of personnel at the facility to undertake integrity checks. More than 140 people will be working on repairs.
Three separate investigations into the cause of the incident are currently ongoing. A report by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority into the accident will be made public, although authorities say the investigations should be completed before commenting about the possible cause of the explosion.
Companies affected by the crisis are expected to make substantial insurance claims and if found to be responsible, Apache could face compensation claims from its customers.
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