Australia Nz News

The Bonaparte CCS project has been awarded Major Project Status by the Australian Government. It is the first offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) project to receive the status in Australia.The Bonaparte CCS Assessment Joint Venture is operated by Inpex subsidiary Inpex Browse E&P (53%) and also involves TotalEnergies CCS Australia (26%) and Woodside Energy (21%).The awarding highlights the project’s recognized potential to support a lower carbon future as well as reflecting…

Norwegian offshore vessel operator Solstad Offshore has confirmed contracts for two of its construction support vessels (CSVs), which will be put to work in South America.The first contract is with Petrobras for the Normand Flower CSV, owned by Solstad Maritime.The contract, valued at $115 million excluding ROV services, was first announced in April 2025, and has now been formally approved and signed.It will begin in January 2026 with a has a duration of four years.The vessel will be on bareboat contracts from Solstad Maritime to Solstad Offshore…

Oil market participants have switched to dreading a shortage in fuel from focusing on impending oversupply in just two days this week.After Israel attacked Iran and Tehran pledged to retaliate, oil prices jumped as much as 13% to their highest since January as investors price in an increased probability of a major disruption in Middle East oil supplies.Part of the reason for the rapid spike is that spare capacity among OPEC and allies to pump more oil to offset any disruption is roughly equivalent to Iran's output…

Australia conditionally approved on Wednesday a request by Woodside Energy to extend until 2070 the life of its North West Shelf gas plant, following a six-year review dogged by delays, appeals and backlash from green groups.The facility on the Burrup peninsula in Western Australia is the country's oldest and largest liquefied natural gas plant and a key supplier to Asian markets, but concerns that its emissions could imperil ancient rock art held up a decision.In a statement…

Australia is losing its competitive edge in attracting investment in natural gas exploration and production, threatening the nation’s energy security, economic growth and emissions reduction targets, a new report by Wood Mackenzie has found.The ‘Australia’s Natural Gas Investment Competitiveness’ report found that while global investment in gas exploration has grown by nearly 30% in the past five years, investment in Australia is lagging with just 15% growth recorded over the same period. The analysis included a CEO sentiment survey of Australian gas producers.

Woodside Energy’s Scarborough energy project has achieved a major engineering milestone with the joining together of the topsides and hull for the Floating Production Unit (FPU).Constructed separately at two different fabrication yards in China, the joining of the two mega-structures is a significant step forward for the Scarborough energy project as it progresses towards first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo, targeted for the second half of 2026.The floatover required precise planning and extensive collaboration by all stakeholders.

Norwegian offshore supply vessel operator DOF Group has secured a contract for subsea mooring installation services in Western Australia.Under the contract, DOF will use Skandi Hercules construction support vessel (CSV) with for moorings and installation subsea services.The scope of work includes DOF’s in-house project management and engineering, procurement and logistics support services.Skandi Hercules CSV has two permanently installed WROV systems and a 250Te AHC craneOffshore…

New Zealand said the Chinese navy conducted a live-fire exercise in international waters near the Pacific nation on Saturday, a day after it held a similar drill between Australia and New Zealand that forced airlines to divert flights."Reporting from the New Zealand Defence Force that the Chinese naval Task Group has advised of a second window for live firing activity, on Saturday afternoon," a spokesperson for Defence Minister Judith Collins said in a statement.Personnel on New Zealand Navy frigate Te Kaha observed live rounds fired from a Chinese vessel's main gun…

Woodside Energy has held talks with several potential buyers of stakes in its Louisiana liquefied natural gas plant, including Tokyo Gas, Japan's JERA and Saudi Aramco-backed MidOcean Energy, multiple sources told Reuters.The timing of the stake sale is a test case for buoyant market expectations around LNG with the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. Trump has said trade partners should buy more U.S. energy and issued several executive orders in his first weeks in…

Seavolt and RAD Propulsion have formed a partnership to deliver complete electric propulsion solutions to boat manufacturers, marinas, ports, sporting organizations, and governments across Australia and the Pacific region.This collaboration brings together Seavolt’s marine charging technology and RAD Propulsion’s electric drive systems, offering customers a solution for electrifying their fleets.“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Seavolt to bring sustainable and high-performance solutions to Australia and the Pacific.

Singaporean shipbuilder Strategic Marine has signed a shipbuilding contract with Odyssey Group for a multi-purpose survey vessel, which will operated offshore Australia.Under the terms of the agreement, Strategic Marine will construct the advanced survey vessel tailored to meet Odyssey Group’s specific operational needs.The vessel will be equipped with the latest technology, including gyro-stabilization for improved vessel stability and operational capability, a moonpool will…

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Port Otago and its partner Napier Port for the delivery of a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) 1000.At nearly 60 meters in length, the dredger has a maximum hopper volume of 1000m3 with twin azimuth thrusters and bow thruster to ensure appropriate maneuverability in the long entrance to Port Chalmers and Dunedin.The TSHD will arrive in New Zealand with a Green Passport under the IMO rules, after the completion of construction at Shipyard 189 in Haiphong in Vietnam.Set for delivery in 2027…

The Western Australian Government has issued an environmental approval to Woodside and the North West Shelf joint venture for extension of the project.After six years of assessment and appeals, this is a critical step in the approvals process to underpin the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project so it can continue to deliver a reliable supply of energy locally and globally.The State’s decision recommences the Federal environmental approvals process, which was paused…

Energy and marine consultancy ABL has expanded its global presence with a new office in New Zealand, to support the country’s growing maritime and offshore energy markets.The ABL New Zealand office will be led by experienced maritime professional Morwenna Vye, offering the company’s full range of energy and marine consultancy services.Leveraging the global expertise and resources of ABL Group, the new office will specialize in services including technical due diligence, technical advisory and management consultancy…

Australian authorities have made a major drug bust in Port Botany, uncovering a large shipment of methamphetamine in an inbound shipping container arriving from the United States.The discovery was made on July 22 when Australian Border Force (ABF) examining the container discovered about 896kg of the illicit powdered substance hidden inside packages tucked away in two separate computer numerical control (CNC) machines.The drugs were removed, and the consignment was delivered to its intended address in Warwick Farm on July 31.

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Sea1 Offshore, formerly Siem Offshore, has secured a multi-well project for three anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels in Australia.The contract begins in second to third quarter of 2025, for a firm period of around 380 days up to 670 days per vessel.No additional details have been revealed, but Sea1 Offshore said the vessels will be servicing a consortium of local operators with various drilling and decommissioning projects.One of the vessels will be from Viking Supply Ships, which entered into agreement with Sea1 Offshore in August 2024 to outsource the m

Australia’s Woodside Energy has signed an agreement with Dutch-based OCI Global to acquire its clean ammonia project for $2.35 billion, which is still under construction on the U.S. Gulf Coast in Texas.Woodside has entered into a binding agreement to acquire 100% of OCI Clean Ammonia Holding, and its lower carbon ammonia project in Beaumont, in a move that strengthens the company’s transition to green energy.The Project is under construction and targets production of first ammonia from 2025 and lower carbon ammonia from 2026…

Austal Philippines delivered a 32m catamaran to Rottnest Fast Ferries, less than 12 months after commencing construction in Balamban, Cebu.Dubbed Ocean Master and designed by Incat Crowther, was officially accepted by representatives from Rottnest Fast Ferries following the successful completion of sea trials in November 2024.President of Austal Asia, Wayne Murray said “The Austal Philippines team have delivered this impressive new catamaran in less than 12 months - exceeding expectations for productivity…

Australian authorities are seeking the public's help in tracking down the source of more than 30 kilograms of cocaine discovered in a refrigerated shipping container at Port Botany.On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted an inspection of the container, which had arrived from Italy, after detecting anomalies during an x-ray examination. A forensic investigation revealed 30 packages concealed within the engine compartment of the container.The packages contained a white crystalline substance that tested positive for cocaine…

Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has won a contract for IMR vessel and associated subsea services in the Asia Pacific region.The contract will utilize one of DOF’s project vessels in the region and includes project management, engineering, logistics support and all related subsea activities.Offshore services are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025 for approximately 150 days.“This award secures further backlog for the Asia Pacific region with an estimated value of over A$20 million ($13.1 million).

Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has secured a multi-million dollar contract with international oil company for the platform supply vessel (PSV) Skandi Feisten.The vessel will continue with the current client on a new 18-months firm contract with a further 18-months extension option.The start of the contract will be in direct continuation from the existing contract with an undisclosed client, and according to DOF, it will maintain its presence in Australia.Although the company did not reveal the exact value of the contract…

Norwegian offshore vessel owner DDW Offshore, a subsidiary of Akastor, has secured work for two of its anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels with an international oil company offshore Australia.DDW Offshore has secured two one-year contracts, each with a further 24-month priced option structure, for its Skandi Peregrino and Skandi Atlantic AHTS vessels.The vessels will provide anchor handling and towage services in Australia for an unnamed oil company, starting on January 1…

Akastor's subsidiary DDW Offshore has secured a contract extension with Petrofac for its anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel Skandi Emerald.The contract extension is for six months, meaning the contract term has now been extended to July 14, 2025.To remind, Petrofac already extended the contract for Skandi Emerald AHTS in January 2024, following the original one-year contract the companies signed in September 2022.Skandi Emerald AHTS Set for Petrofac’s Northern Endeavour FPSO JobAt the time…