Western Australia's (WA) third-largest LNG plant the 8.9mn t/yr Wheatstone LNG has returned to full production, following three days of repairs following a fault that cut output by about 20pc.
An instrumentation problem at the plant was the source of the issue, which occurred on the second day of a fortnight of increased industrial action by union members working at the facility.
"Chevron Australia confirms full production resumed on 17 September at the Wheatstone gas facility following a fault on 14 September," the company said on 18 September. "During this time LNG continued to be produced at approximately 80pc of usual rates, and vessel loading continued. There has been no change to scheduled LNG deliveries. Domestic gas facilities and supply were unaffected."
Wheatstone is 1,140km north of the WA state capital of Perth and forms one of three sites operated by Chevron where staff under the Offshore Alliance (OA) union are striking, in addition to the Wheatstone offshore gas platform and 15.6mn t/yr Gorgon LNG plant.
About 500 unionised workers are conducting various work bans, stoppages and a refusal to perform some tasks as they press for a new pay deal. The OA on 16 September announced it was undertaking a 24-hour strike across all three facilities – its longest, single work stoppage since industrial action began on 8 September.
Mediation sessions between Chevron and unions began at 8am Perth time (12am GMT) on 18 September before Australia's Fair Work commissioner Bernie Riordan. These conciliation talks will run for three days before a hearing is held to establish if the negotiation should be declared intractable, at which point the Fair Work Commission may decide the case unilaterally.
