Fluor Corporation announced that its Fluor Offshore Solutions unit was awarded a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by Woodside for the Browse Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Development. The Browse fields are located in the Browse Basin about 425 kilometres north of Broome off the western coast of Australia. Fluor will be responsible for FEED services for the offshore central gas processing facility including the steel jackets, a compression platform and a utilities accommodation platform. Fluor has teamed with McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR), to design the steel jackets and float-over installation. Fluor booked the undisclosed contract services value in the fourth quarter of 2010.

"We are excited to be involved in this significant world-class project for Woodside and its partners. Fluor brings extensive global experience to Woodside that will result in a cost competitive, safe and functional facility," said Peter Oosterveer, president of Fluor's Energy & Chemicals Group. "With 60 years of local Australia engineering and construction experience, Fluor will bring a fresh and innovative approach to offshore projects in the region."

"Fluor's core values of safety, sustainable development and contribution to the Australian offshore market align well with Woodside and its partners' values," said Lee Richardson, vice president of Fluor Offshore Solutions. "We believe that our regional experience, together with our global leadership talent in offshore oil and gas projects, is an excellent match-up with our client as the Browse LNG Development moves forward."

Fluor will staff the FEED with more than 150 offshore experts from its Perth, Houston and Manila offices, and the FEED is expected to be completed in late 2011. The Browse joint venture is scheduled to take a final investment in mid-2012.

Fluor's project scope of work is one part of the overall Browse LNG Development that includes three tension leg platforms, a central processing facility, more than 1,200 kilometres of subsea pipeline infrastructure, and an onshore three-train LNG facility at the Western Australian Government's Browse LNG Precinct. When completed, Woodside will process gas and condensate from three fields in the Browse Basin. The Browse fields are estimated to contain a combined contingent resource of 13.3 trillion cubic feet of dry gas and 360 million barrels of condensate.