Vintage Energy to commission Vali gas project in February after ‘extreme’ weather
Vintage Energy anticipates mechanical handover of the project in February after which commissioning will commence “immediately”.
Emerging gas producer Vintage Energy (ASX: VEN) has announced its Vali field in the Cooper Basin will be ready for commissioning in early February after “extreme weather conditions” affected the project’s schedule.
Last month the company declared the project was on track for commissioning and first gas in January, but today it said progress had been affected by rainfall in early January and “ongoing extreme heat” which has restricted work.
Vintage said the construction contractor, Global Engineering and Construction, has advised mechanical handover is now expected to occur in early February. Commissioning of Vali-1, metering and tie-in to bring the project online will then commence “immediately”.
Vintage also commended the contractor team on remaining injury and environmental incident free over the length of the project to date, “particularly given the extreme weather conditions in January”.
Work nearing completion
Installation and pressure testing of the export flowlines was completed in December. The Vali gas wells are to be connected and brought online progressively, starting with Vali-1 followed by Vali-3 and Vali-2.
Site works resumed after the Christmas break on 7 January with work focusing on the completion of equipment installation at the Vali-1 lease, the metering facility, and the Beckler tie-in point.
According to Vintage, the Vali metering facility is nearing completion with all equipment now installed, electrical and instrumentation work at Vali-1 is almost complete and work is “progressing well” at the metering facility. Mechanical work on the Beckler tie-in point is also advancing.
Vali has been independently certified as having proved and probable gas reserves of 101 petajoules. The ATP 2021 joint venture has contracted to supply an estimated 9 – 16 PJ gas to AGL Energy (ASX: AGL) from field start up to the end of 2026.
Odin connection on track for third quarter
Work is also underway on the accelerated connection to the Odin gas field to enable gas supply from the third quarter of 2023, Vintage confirmed.
The crew has now commenced trenching and fiberspar pipe for the connection has been procured and is on-site ready for installation.
This accelerated connection is being implemented to fast-track supply from the field in advance of a long-term connection.
Vintage operates both projects with a 50% interest with joint venture partners Metgasco (ASX: MEL) and private company Bridgeport (Cooper Basin) each holding 25% stakes.