Vocus to build subsea loop to Barossa gas project

Vocus is set to build a 500km cable loop off its north-west cable system to service the forthcoming multi-billion dollar Barossa gas project.

Under the agreement, Vocus would “design, manufacture and install  a 500km cable loop, the Bonaparte Basin Cable Loop (BBCL), which will be integrated into the 2100km Vocus north-west cable system.” 

The north-west cable system is a subsea route connecting Port Hedland and Darwin. It traverses a route near a number of gas fields and offshore projects.

“Following a three-year design and construction phase, Vocus would hold a minimum 15-year service term for the operation and maintenance of the network,” the telco said in a statement.

The Barossa Project is a gas and light condensate field located offshore about 300km north of Darwin.

It is a joint project by ConocoPhillips, SK E&S Australia and Santos Offshore. It hasn’t yet been given its final tick of approval to proceed (known as the ‘final investment decision’, which is due next year).

However, the project is being treated as a replacement for the field that ConocoPhillips Australia currently uses to supply its Darwin LNG [liquefied natural gas] facility.

Vocus will again use Alcatel Submarine Networks for the actual deployment of the cable loop.