Tanker heads to Curtis Island to load first export cargo of LNG from Qld

A major gas company is preparing for the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship to arrive in Queensland.

It comes as the State Government slashes its revenue forecasts for the sector.

The gas tanker Methane Rita Andrea is due to arrive into Gladstone tomorrow morning.

The massive ship will berth at the QGC LNG plant on Curtis Island and load the first export cargo of LNG from Queensland.

Michael Roche from the Queensland Resources Council said it would be an industry milestone.

“A red letter day for Queensland’s resource sector,” he said.

“It’ll position over time the gas industry as Queensland’s second largest export earner.”

Kevin Berg from construction firm Bechtel said the other Gladstone gas projects would follow soon.

“[Santos] GLNG, the second quarter of next year we’ll see a [production] train come on, and APLNG will not be too far behind that,” he said.

However, the State Government has slashed its forecast revenues from the LNG sector.

It is expecting to receive $70 million in gas royalties this financial year, after originally forecasting $200 million in the June budget.
Source: ABC