Chevron Reduces Production at Wheatstone LNG Plant for Scheduled Maintenance
- 22-Apr-2025 10:30 PM
- Journalist: Xiang Hong
Chevron has temporarily reduced output at its Wheatstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Australia due to planned maintenance activities, according to several media reports. The maintenance, which is described as minor and routine, is being carried out on LNG Train 1 and is expected to last about a week. Despite the temporary decrease in LNG production, domestic gas supply has not been affected, as per media reports.
The Wheatstone facility, located in Western Australia, is one of the country’s largest resource projects and plays a significant role in supplying LNG to international markets. Operated by Chevron, the facility consists of two LNG production trains with a combined export capacity of 8.9 million tonnes per annum. It also includes a domestic gas plant that continues to operate normally during the maintenance work.
The Wheatstone Project is a collaboration between several major energy players. Chevron’s Australian subsidiary holds the largest stake in the project, with a 64.14 per cent interest. The other partners include Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), which owns 13.4 per cent; Woodside Energy Group Ltd, with 13 per cent; and Kyushu Electric Power Company, holding a 1.46 per cent stake. Additionally, PE Wheatstone, which is partly owned by Japan’s JERA, holds an 8 per cent interest in the joint venture.
The offshore infrastructure of the Wheatstone Project is located approximately 225 kilometres off the coast in waters about 70 metres deep. These offshore facilities play a key role in the project by gathering and partially processing natural gas and associated condensate from the Wheatstone, Iago, Julimar, and Brunello gas fields. The processed gas is then transported via a trunkline to the onshore plant for final processing and export.
According to media reports, the current maintenance is a scheduled annual event and is not expected to significantly disrupt Chevron’s LNG supply obligations. Regular maintenance ensures the facility continues to operate safely and efficiently. Media reports emphasize that such planned events are common in large-scale energy operations and are important for maintaining long-term asset integrity and performance.
In summary, Chevron’s planned maintenance at the Wheatstone LNG facility has temporarily reduced production from Train 1, but the overall impact is minimal. With the rest of the facility functioning as usual and domestic gas production remaining steady, the maintenance is proceeding smoothly as part of Chevron’s routine operational strategy.