Courtesy: ExxonMobil

In January, you may see an unusual sight in Western Port – a section of a new oil and gas platform sailing in to the bay and mooring just off Cowes.

Esso Australia (a subsidiary of ExxonMobil) is currently building a platform to be installed in Bass Strait as part of the Kipper Tuna Turrum Oil and Gas Project.

In mid-January, a section of this platform (called the “jacket”) will sail in to Western Port on a large heavy lift vessel. The jacket will be offloaded from the vessel just off the coast of Cowes. This activity will involve lowering the heavy lift vessel down into the water.

From a distance this may look like the heavy lift vessel is sinking, but this method enables the jacket to float off the vessel rather than be lifted by a crane. The jacket will then be towed to Corner Inlet in preparation to be towed out into Bass Strait for installation in March. This activity will take several days depending on weather conditions.

The jacket alone weighs 4,700 tonnes and is 75 metres long, 50 metres wide and 45 metres high.

It will be accompanied by additional vessels.

If you have any concerns or queries, please contact ExxonMobil Public Affairs on 03 9270 3124.

You can find out more about the Kipper Tuna Turrum Project at www.exxonmobil.com.au/ktt.