LPG plant will create jobs for Taranaki

Construction of Todd Energy’s $65million LPG Plant Will Provide 200,000 Hours of Work in Taranaki

Major earthworks commenced today marking the first stage of construction of Todd Energy’s LPG plant. The construction of the $65million plant will provide significant benefits to both the local Taranaki and New Zealand economy.

Richard Tweedie, Managing Director, Todd Energy said “construction work will keep Taranaki businesses busy for the next 18 months, creating in excess of 200,000 man hours of work.”

“Once commissioned, people will be able to enjoy the benefits of LPG throughout the North and South Island,” said Mr Tweedie. “We are the only energy company providing New Zealand with a wellhead to customer service from our own totally indigenous LPG,” he said.

Major earthworks for the LPG plant, associated storage and load out facilities are expected to be completed in May this year.

Mr Tweedie said “the main plant construction takes place next summer with a site workforce of approx 45 people at anyone time, at peak periods we may require up to 100 workers on site.”

Enerflex System Ltd based in Edmonton, Canada will be supplying the recovery plant packaged process equipment. New Plymouth based company, Transfield Worley will carry out the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the LPG plant including installation of the LPG packaged equipment and provision of LPG storage bullets and a truck load out facility.

Fabrication work and mechanical and electrical installation work is yet to be competitively tendered to local contractors,” Mr Tweedie said.

Todd Energy is also in the process of placing a contract with local engineering company Plant & Platform for pipeline modifications required as part of this project, which also involves local contractors.

Expected delivery of all LPG plant equipment is expected by December 2010 and installation & hook-up construction work should be completed by July 2011.

Once commissioned, the LPG plant will enable Todd Energy to produce LPG sourced from its Mangahewa and Pohokura fields and deliver the product to customers via Todd Energy’s retail company, Nova Energy.

LPG is one of the most environmentally friendly fuels available and is a naturally cleaner-burning energy source than petrol and diesel, coal, wood and light fuel oil. LPG can be used for heating, cooking, hot water and in vehicles and is an easily transferable fuel via road, sea or rail.

“Compared with petrol and diesel, LPG is the best environmental alternative and is a low carbon content fuel that can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change,” added Mr Tweedie.

ENDS

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