Project Overview

Barossa FPSO is a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) project located approximately 285 km Offshore Darwin. Developed by Santos and its joint venture partners, SK E&S and JERA Co.

The BW Opal FPSO is the largest Gas FPSO, measuring 358 meters long and 64 meters wide, and accommodating up to 140 personnel. It is designed to process up to 850 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. Additionally, it can produce 11,000 barrels of stabilized condensate per day. The vessel has a 25-year lifespan in offshore operations. 

The Barossa LNG project aims to deliver reliable energy for the next decade, supporting energy and national security. A Seatrium study estimates that the FPSO will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% over its lifetime, resulting in up to 2.3 million tonnes of CO2 reduction.

Barossa FPSO Location

The Barossa FPSO is located in the Barossa gas Field in the Timor Sea, approximately 285 km offshore from Darwin in Northern Australia. It is situated at water depths ranging from 130 to 350 meters.

Project Background

The Barossa FPSO project is a part of the Barossa Gas Project. Led by Santos, with other joint venture partners, it reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) in March 2021, following NOPSEMA approval in 2018.

The field is developed using a permanently moored Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel named BW Opal, supplied and operated by BW Offshore under a long-term lease.

The BW Opal FPSO Vessel is being built on BW Offshore’s RapidFramework design in South Korea and Singapore, with six subsea wells across three drill centers in the Bonaparte Basin. The gas will be sent through a subsea pipeline to Darwin LNG for processing.

Santos acquired a major interest in the field in 2019 (after purchasing ConocoPhillips’ northern Australia assets), becoming the operator. 

Barossa FPSO Ownership Details

The FPSO Field is operated by Santos, an Australian oil & gas company, which holds a 50% stake in the project. Other partners include SK E&S, an energy company in Korea (37.5% stake), and JERA, a power company based in Japan (12.5% stake).

Barossa FPSO First Gas Received

Barossa FPSO received its first gas on 20 September 2025. The milestone was achieved following the BW Opal’s Ready for Start-Up (RFSU) status, and the commencement of subsea wells flow on September 16. Hence, initiating 60% of the contractual dayrate.

Santos announced that all six wells in the Barossa Gas Field have been drilled and exhibit excellent reservoir quality. Of six, five wells have completed testing, spotlighting their bosting flow, exceeding pre-drill estimates, with expected average potential well deliverability of around 300 million standard cubic feet per day.

Furthermore, the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority has renewed the Environment Protection Licence for Darwin LNG, starting from 19 September 2025. It opens the door for the first gas to enter and the start-up of the Darwin LNG plant.

Project Timeline

Project Cost & Financing Details

Design & Engineering Details

Barossa FPSO Project Contractors

Barossa FPSO Investors

Conclusion

The Barossa FPSO project successfully achieved its first gas in September 2025. It was received after the Ready for Start-Up (RFSU) status was achieved, and subsea well flow commenced on September 16.

The BW Opal FPSO vessel, located approximately 285 km offshore Darwin, is 358 meters long and 64 meters wide. It has a Gas Processing capacity of 850 million standard cubic feet per day and 11,000 barrels of stabilized condensate per day. It has a 25-year lifespan in offshore operations.

Developed by Santos and its joint venture partners, the project aims to deliver reliable energy for the next decade, supporting energy and national security. The project reduces up to 2.3 million tonnes of CO2 in its lifetime.

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