Aker Kvaerner Australia will conduct the feasibility study for the conversion of the refinery's fuel system from naphtha and oil fired to coal seam gas (CSG) methane fired.  This will include the dryers, calciners and synthesis gas plant as well as the installation of gas reticulation facilities.

QNI President Tim Netscher said, "the conversion to coal seam gas methane will bring substantial energy efficiencies and environmental benefits to our operations by reducing our reliance on liquid fuels and further decreasing our greenhouse gas emissions."

Aker Kvaerner Australia's Managing Director, Mr Tom Quinn, said, "the award of this contract recognises Aker Kvaerner's outstanding performance on a project similar in nature - Santos' Asset Control Enhancement project.  Coupled with our experience in complex brownfield sites, exceptional safety performance and in-house ability to supply the total scope of services we are ideally placed to execute this project for QNI."

The work will be carried out from a regional office Aker Kvaerner is establishing in the local community of Townsville.

The Queensland Government has facilitated the installation of a 390 km CSG pipeline from Moranbah to Townsville Power Station adjacent to QNI Yabulu Refinery. A consortium is proceeding with the installation of a 300mm pipeline to supply CSG to the refinery. The pipeline will be completed in February 2005.

ENDS

 

Business Development:
Tom Hunter, Business Development Manager, Metals. Tel: +617 3246 9149

Media:
Renee Mead, Communications Officer, Aker Kvaerner Australia: +61 3 9272 3256

Torbjørn Andersen, SVP Group Communications, Aker Kvaerner: +47 928 85 542

Investor Relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, VP Investor Relations, Aker Kvaerner: +47 67 51 30 39

 

AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner span a number of industries, including Oil & Gas production, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Power Generation and Pulp & Paper. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately USD 4.5 billion and employs around 21,000 employees in more than 30 countries.

The Aker Kvaerner group consists of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA.

The Oil, Gas, Process & Energy (OGPE) business area of Aker Kvaerner specialises in the provision of process technology, design, engineering, project management, procurement and construction.  With an annual turnover of US$1.14 billion, the OGPE business employs more than 5,400 people operating worldwide.  It offers the complete range of services that are necessary to realise global projects from conception to start-up.  These services include a portfolio of advanced process technologies, a full range of engineering studies (including bankable feasibility and environmental studies), total project management, engineering and design, procurement, construction, commissioning and maintenance services.

Aker Kvaerner Australia is a leading project management and engineering contractor, providing industrial clients throughout the oil & gas, refining, chemicals, power, non-ferrous metals, iron ore and steel industries with design and project management services and innovative technology solutions. Aker Kvaerner Australia is organised as a subsidiary under the business area Oil, Gas, Process & Energy.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com