Woodside Energy Ltd as an operator of the North West Shelf Venture (NWSV), together with its six equal participants in the NWSV have began studies on the North Rankin Redevelopment (NR2) which involves the construction and installation of a new platform North Rankin B (NRB) and modification of the process modules of NRA. NRB will be installed alongside NRA with a bridge linking the two platforms.

The prime function of NRB is to provide gas compression and condensate pumping for hydrocarbons produced by the NRA wells, to maintain production and to recover remaining reserves. NRB will extend the life of the North Rankin and Perseus fields to 2041. Following installation of the new NRB platform, the two platforms will function as one production complex.

The NRB topsides will be approximately 20,000 tonnes and will be installed by float over. The deck is supported by a 23,000 tonne eight leg, cross-braced, steel structure jacket with drilled and grouted piles on each corner. The NR2 project also has extensive Brownfield scope as a result of the process/utility ties between the two facilities and major maintenance requirements to meet the extended life of NRA.

FEED and procurement of long lead items for NR2 will begin in the first quarter of 2007. The engineering, procurement management and construction management support services contract for FEED only was awarded to the Eos Joint Venture, an unincorporated joint venture of WorleyParsons Services Pty Limited and KBR E&C Australia Pty Ltd.