Work starts on Todd LPG plant

Todd Energy managing director Richard Tweedie

Todd Energy says it has started work on its $65 million LPG plant in Taranaki.

Major earthworks commenced today in the first stage of construction at the company's McKee site, 20km southeast of New Plymouth, managing director Richard Tweedie said.

"Construction work will keep Taranaki businesses busy for the next 18 months, creating in excess of 200,000 man hours of work," he said.

Earthworks, associated storage and load out facilities are expected to be completed in May and main plant construction will take place next summer.

Forty-five people will work on site, however peak periods could see up to 100 workers employed, Mr Tweedie said.

Canadian company Enerflex System will supplying the recovery plant packaged process equipment.

New Plymouth's Transfield Worley will carry out the engineering, procurement and construction, including installation of the LPG packaged equipment and provision of LPG storage bullets and a truck load out facility.

Fabrication work and mechanical and electrical installation work was yet to be competitively tendered to local contractors, Mr Tweedie said.

Todd Energy was also in the process of placing a contract with local engineering company Plant & Platform for pipeline modifications.

Delivery of all LPG plant equipment is expected by December and installation and hook-up construction work should be completed by July next year.

Once commissioned, the plant will enable Todd Energy to produce 27,000 tonnes of LPG a year, sourced from its Mangahewa and Pohokura fields and deliver the product to customers via Todd Energy's retail company, Nova Energy.

- NZPA