The upstream contract, covering sub-sea production facilities and pipelines, has been awarded to a JP Kenny-Technip joint venture.

The downstream contract, which covers the liquefied natural gas facility on Barrow Island, has been awarded to the Kellogg Joint Venture-Gorgon, which comprises Kellogg Brown and Root, Clough, Hatch and JGC.

Two LNG trains will be built on Barrow Island, each having a capacity of about 5 million tonnes a year.

The Greater Gorgon area is one of the largest undeveloped natural gas accumulations in the region, estimated to contain 40 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas.

A final investment decision is likely in mid-2006. First gas from the field is expected in 2010.

The Gorgon partners are Chevron (operator) 50%, Shell Australia 25% and ExxonMobil 25%.