The soil has been turned to commemorate the start of construction of the Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2, in the northern Perth Basin, near the town of Dongara, in Western Australia.

To officially launch the construction of the Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2 and turn the first soil, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan joined the CEOs of Clough, MEPAU and Beach Energy, together with Southern Yamatji Traditional Owners.

Peter Bennett, Clough CEO and Managing Director said, “Clough and the Waitsia Joint Venture have been working together in the lead up to construction to enhance the design of the Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2 and it is exciting to see the meticulous planning for optimal plant operability, capital costs and sustainable operations now being executed.”

John Galvin, Clough Executive Vice President Australia and Asia Pacific said “We are proud to see the commencement of this iconic project, with earthworks now underway. Today’s sod turning is an important milestone towards the development of a world-class onshore gas resource.”

Clough was awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract by the Waitsia Joint Venture (Mitsui E&P Australia and Beach Energy) for Waitsia Stage 2 at the start of 2021. Based on Clough’s commitment to creating local opportunities, the bulk earthworks scope was recently awarded to Garla Barna Civil & Mining (GBCM), a local Mid West Indigenous business.

The new gas facility is expected to be complete by April 2023, with production forecast for the second half of 2023. During the construction phase it will see an estimated 200 jobs created, bringing significant economic benefits to the Mid West region and Western Australia at large.

The Waitsia gas field is ranked one of the largest gas fields ever discovered onshore in Australia and it is forecasted to bring significant economic benefits to the Mid-West region from both construction and operating phases. The Waitsia Stage 2 project includes a new 250 TJ/day gas processing plant with a 20-year life-cycle that will convey gas via the nearby Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.

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