Australia Nz News

The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran has changed the global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG), providing a boost to producers outside the Middle East that will likely last long after the current conflict ends.One of the major beneficiaries is Australia, which last year slipped to the third-largest exporter of the super-chilled fuel behind the United States and Qatar.But the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has shut off Qatar's LNG exports, meaning that it will likely lose second place back to Australia this year…

Chevron said on Tuesday that downstream assets at its Wheatstone liquefied natural gas plant in Western Australia suffered extensive cyclone damage, leaving both production trains offline.Danny Woodall, Chevron's director of operations and maintenance for Australia, said the two LNG processing trains at the 8.9 million-ton-a-year facility remained shut after Tropical Cyclone Narelle struck the region last week."We have a number of fin fans or air-cooled heat exchangers that sustained some damage," he told the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference in Sydney."We've got a dedicated team righ

Gas majors including Shell and Chevron warned Australia against introducing a windfall tax on gas exporters, saying it would deter investment and undermine energy security as LNG prices surge amid disruption caused by the Iran war.Australia became the world's second-largest LNG supplier after Iranian strikes forced Qatar to halt production, with its export revenue set to surge due to lower supply caused by the conflict.Canberra is weighing options to capitalise on the higher prices…

A powerful tropical cyclone in Western Australia has disrupted production at the country’s two biggest liquefied natural gas plants run by Chevron and Woodside, exacerbating a global supply crunch caused by the conflict in the Middle East.Australia became the world’s second-largest LNG exporter after Qatar shut down production this month following damage to its facilities from Iranian strikes. Global LNG flows out of the Middle East have also been upended by Iran’s blockage of…

New Zealand marine technology company Vessev has announced its expansion into the Australian market, with the Enautic Group set to introduce Vessev's electric hydrofoiling passenger vessels to Western Australia. There are currently only three commercially-certified electric hydrofoiling vessels in operation anywhere in the world, two of which are Vessev VS-9s, which together have logged close to 10,000 nautical miles.The VS-9, Vessev's flagship passenger vessel, is a 29-foot electric hydrofoiling catamaran with carbon fiber foils that deliver a smooth, quiet, low-wake ride.

Oil surged 9% on Monday after retaliatory Iranian attacks disrupted shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz following the weekend's bombing by Israel and the United States that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.A sustained jump in prices would threaten a global economic recovery, spur inflation and could push up U.S. retail gasoline prices, a risky result for President Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections this November.The price surge on the restart of trading after the weekend…

New Zealand has shortlisted contractors to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to boost energy security, provide a reliable backup power source and support economic growth, Energy Minister Simon Watts said on Monday.The government aims to sign a contract by the middle of this year for an import facility in Taranaki, on the country's North Island, that would be ready to receive LNG in 2027 or early 2028.The model will allow LNG to be imported in large shipments and only when needed…

Worley has been selected as Marine and Port Infrastructure Technical Advisor by the Government of Western Australia for the Westport Program, which aims to deliver a new container port in Kwinana.Under a joint venture with Arcadis, Worley will provide technical advisory and concept design services for marine and port infrastructure under an initial three-year agreement. Construction of the port is expected to begin in the late 2020s, with operations expected by 2040.Once completed…

Woodside Energy Trading Singapore has signed a sale and purchase agreement with Japan’s JERA for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) during Japan’s peak winter period, strengthening long-term LNG supply arrangements between the two companies.Under the agreement, Woodside will supply three LNG cargoes per year, equivalent to around 0.2 million tonnes annually, for a period of five years starting in 2027. The LNG will be delivered on a delivered ex-ship basis to Japan during…

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…

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…