Major Western Downs Surat Gas Project ahead of schedule with processing facility

Despite wet weather concerns over the past 12 months, Arrow Energy’s new gas processing facility located outside Dalby has been completed as part of joint venture’s $10bn Surat Gas Project.

Harry IPF nearing completion. Picture: contributed

The new gas processing facility near Dalby has reached completion ahead of schedule despite the frequent wet weather concerns over the past year.

Arrow Energy CEO Cecile Wake said the new Harry Inlet Processing Facility, which is 27km southwest of Dalby, has been completed.

“With the wet weather over the past 12 months, completing construction of the Harry processing facility ahead of schedule is a great reflection of the dedication and hard work of everyone involved,” Ms Wake said.

The facility comes as part of one of the largest gas developments on Australia’s east coast.

The processing facility is said to remove water and other impurities from coal seam gas produced in the area before the gas in transported to Shell’s QGC via pipeline.

Arrow Energy staff, contractors and subcontractors in front of the completed Harry IPF. Picture: contributed

“All up about 180 Arrow staff, contractors and subcontractors worked on the project, many living locally or based in the area,” Ms Wake said.

She said the new facility was expected to begin operations later this year and would allow Arrow to increase gas supply to the QGC-operated Harry field compression station.

“The Harry IPF follows the David IPF, which came online last year, and together these facilities show how the momentum of the Surat Gas Project is building,” Ms Wake said.

“Construction of the facility is a great example of how large-scale projects can create jobs and deliver financial benefits for local businesses and the broader community.”

Harry IPF nearing completion. Picture: contributed

The $10bn gas project was given the green light in 2019, with Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk welcoming the major project.

“This is the biggest resources project since 2011 when LNG projects were sanctioned,” she said.

Not everyone approved of the new project, as Cecil Plains farmer Russell Bennie said in 2010 that he had dealt with Arrow Energy in the past and didn’t appreciate the lack of consideration the impact of their proceedings would have to his property.

“You’ve got to take a stand and decide what you will and what you won’t be prepared to do,” he said.

“(They) want landholders to consent by signing a CCA.

“I would suggest to those farmers very strongly they would be in the long term potentially much better off by selling - and I wouldn’t sell cheap either.”