As one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world, the completion of the Santos and Beach Energy Moomba Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in South Australia is a significant achievement.
Operated by Santos, the project achieved start-up in October 2024, with full ramp-up attained within weeks of the first CO2 injection.
Downer led the civil, mechanical and electrical construction and commissioning for the project, which included the CCS facility, HRSG (Heat Recovery Steam Generator) & LoHeat facility. Commencing with early contractor involvement in 2019, Downer’s Industrial & Power Generation team started construction in 2022, and reached mechanical completion in December 2024. Moomba CCS is one of the lowest cost CCS facilities constructed to date, and with the ability to store up to 1.7million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Working with both new and existing infrastructure at the site, Downer’s delivery solution involved two phases. Phase 1 focussed on the CCS facility and Phase 2 included the Heat Recovery Steam Generator and LoHeat facility. Downer also managed four shutdowns of existing Moomba Gas Plant, where CO2 is captured before being fed into the new facility.
Key project metrics:
- Peak project workforce of ~150 onsite
- 0 Lost Time Injuries
- Concrete volume: 906 m³
- 615 steel piles installed
- > 600 tonnes steel installed across greenfield and brownfield
- 49 modules installed
- Piping installed: ~3,800 metres
- Almost 46km of cable installed
- Stainless steel instrument tubing: ~1,400 metresField inspections/inspection tests: ~6,700
As the energy transition accelerates, the Moomba CCS will be a critical project supporting Australia’s journey towards net zero. Downer has been providing safe, quality technical services and infrastructure for Santos and the LNG industry for decades and we’re excited to be part of delivering yet another iconic energy project in South Australia.
Credit photo: Santos
