Register      Login
Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
 

Session 25. Oral Presentation for: Multi-disciplined/collaborative team approach to deliver Kipper Compression Project

Dean Fuller A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A ExxonMobil, Level 9, 664 Collins Street, Docklands, Vic 3008, Australia.




Dean joined ExxonMobil in 1999 as an Offshore Operations Technician, bringing in his experience in Electrical and Electrical Supervision. He progressed to Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) in 2010 and since then his major experiences include various platform OIM roles, Relief Producing Field Supervision and the Cobia Restart Project. He also completed a Degree in Training and Education that has facilitated the mentoring and coaching of many Offshore Operators and OIMs. In 2022, he joined the Kipper Compression Project as Operations Advisor and then to Start Up Manager.

* Correspondence to: dean.a.fuller@exxonmobil.com

Australian Energy Producers Journal 65, EP24525 https://doi.org/10.1071/EP24525
Published: 19 June 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Australian Energy Producers.

Abstract

Presented on 29 May 2025: Session 25

The Kipper gas field in Australia’s offshore Gippsland Basin was initially developed from two subsea wells producing back to the West Tuna host platform commencing in 2017. The Kipper field is unique in the Gippsland Basin as it is a Golden Beach Formation pressure depletion-drive reservoir, requiring compression to support recovery of the produceable reserves. As such, the Kipper Compression Project, which was successfully installed in 2024, represents another significant infrastructure investment in the Bass Strait where 100% of gas from the basin is sold into Australia’s east coast domestic market. This project represented a multi-year effort with a high degree of brownfield complexity to install the compression components on a producing platform. The project leveraged a modularised design inclusive of the gas compressor and turbine package, fuel gas and seal gas conditioning equipment, as well as condensate pumping, power and controls infrastructure. The tie-in and integration scope on West Tuna involved significant interfacing and risk management between the project, logistics and operations teams. Successful project delivery necessitated a multi-disciplined and collaborative team effort from early concept selection and facility design, and a highly coordinated effort through module fabrication, transportation, shorebase load-out, offshore installation, hook-up and commissioning. West Tuna platform and Kipper Compression facilities are within Gippsland Basin Joint Venture (GBJV) operated by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (50%) and partners with Woodside Energy (50%).

This paper also has a Visual Presentation available. To access the Oral and Visual Presentations click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Keywords: compression, facility design, gas supply, Gippsland Basin, Kipper field, modularisation, project execution, West Tuna platform.

Biographies

EP24525_B1.png

Dean joined ExxonMobil in 1999 as an Offshore Operations Technician, bringing in his experience in Electrical and Electrical Supervision. He progressed to Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) in 2010 and since then his major experiences include various platform OIM roles, Relief Producing Field Supervision and the Cobia Restart Project. He also completed a Degree in Training and Education that has facilitated the mentoring and coaching of many Offshore Operators and OIMs. In 2022, he joined the Kipper Compression Project as Operations Advisor and then to Start Up Manager.