A vast, flat expanse of arid land stretches into the distance, marked by a straight, unsealed road cutting through the landscape. Parallel to the road runs a large metal pipeline, supported intermittently by wooden blocks. A white utility vehicle is parked beside the pipeline, its presence minuscule in the vastness of the terrain. The environment is characterised by red soil, sparse green shrubbery, and a wide horizon under a partly cloudy sky, evoking a sense of remote industrial activity in a desert-like setting.

Moomba to Cross Border CCS Pipeline

The Moomba to Cross-Border CCS Pipeline runs east from the Santos-owned Moomba gas Plant to depleted reservoirs in the Marabooka and Strzelecki fields. At a diameter of DN250 (10″) and a length of approximately 50 kilometres, MPC Kinetic engaged Vertech to conduct radiographic inspections throughout the pipeline’s construction.

Moomba is a natural gas processing hub in the South Australian portion of the Cooper Basin. It purifies natural gas before distributing it to South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland via the East Coast domestic gas pipeline network. One processing step at Moomba is removing the CO2 from the natural gas, which is then vented. The objective of the Moomba CCS project was to capture this vented CO2 and store it underground within depleted gas reservoirs, avoiding its release into the atmosphere.

Project Overview

The image shows a sturdy, white container with the "Vertech Group" logo mounted on an orange and silver trailer, hinting at industrial or technical use. It is parked on sandy ground, indicative of a remote or rural location, with a white Toyota ute in the background bearing safety flags, commonly used in industrial or construction sites to enhance vehicle visibility. The clear blue sky and bright sunlight suggest a dry, sunny day. The container's solid build and the presence of safety equipment imply adherence to occupational health and safety standards for field operations.

Moomba is a natural gas processing hub in the South Australia’s Cooper Basin. The facility refines the extracted natural gas before distributing it to various destinations in South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland via the East Coast domestic gas pipeline network. Among the processes conducted at Moomba is the extraction of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the natural gas, which is vented into the atmosphere. The Moomba Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiative aims to, instead of venting CO2, securely store it underground within depleted gas reservoirs.

To capture the CO2 vented at Moomba and store it within Cooper Basin depleted gas reservoirs, there are five significant steps:
  • Capture: A stainless steel header connects the four existing CO2 removal units, collecting the CO2 and delivering it to the CCS compressor at near atmospheric pressure.
  • Compression: A four-stage centrifugal compressor compresses the CO2 to a pressure of ~13 MPa. Compression of the CO2 is required to push it through the pipeline and into the depleted gas reservoirs. The first three compression stages also reduce the concentration of water in the CO2, reducing the load on the Tri-Ethylene Glycol (TEG) dehydrator.
  • Dehydration: A TEG dehydration package removes moisture from the CO2 before entering the pipeline. This is to ensure no free water formation within the carbon steel CO2 pipeline, preventing corrosion and the formation of CO2 hydrates.
  • Transport: A 50 km carbon steel pipeline transports the compressed, dehydrated CO2 from Moomba to the injection reservoir.
  • Injection: Four injection well skids are used to monitor and control the rates of CO2 injection at each well while

Pipeline and design considerations

A view of a sandy, unpaved road cutting through a semi-arid landscape dotted with sparse vegetation and red dunes under an overcast sky. The road is flanked on one side by a long stretch of pipe supported by wooden beams, suggesting ongoing construction or maintenance work possibly related to energy or resource extraction. The pipes extend into the horizon, emphasising the scale of the project within the remote and expansive environment.

The Moomba to Cross-Border CCS Pipeline runs approximately 50 km east from the Moomba Plant CCS Facility to depleted reservoirs in the Marabooka and Strzelecki fields, which have been selected for the first injection phase.

A robust design strategy was implemented following AS 2885, with the project piping specification aiming to mitigate the risk associated with pipeline fracture propagation. To ensure the best available methods were employed, the traditional Two Curve Method calculations and the recently published DNV recommended practice five were used to select the required toughness.

The standard wall pipe selection was governed by fracture control requirements considering penetration resistance, fracture control, NACE requirements, minimum temperatures, cost, and material availability.

Scope

A convoy of vehicles, marked with company logos such as "Vertech Group," lines up along a dusty, unpaved road in a flat, arid landscape. The sky is clear, and the environment appears sparse and sunbaked. Safety flags on the vehicles indicate the operation of a field team, likely related to industrial or inspection work in a remote location. Visible tyre tracks suggest frequent travel along this route. The first vehicle is a white SUV towing a large, grey utility trailer.

MPC Kinetic contracted Vertech Group’s Roma operations to perform Radiography and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on the 50km DN250 (10″) Moomba to Cross Border CCS Pipeline. Digital radiography and internal JME crawlers were used for the mainline section, resulting in substantial time and cost savings compared to traditional radiography. This approach also ensured quick result turnaround, enabling MPC’s construction team’s seamless progression to the next project phase.

The assessment of tie-in welds involved conventional radiography using Rigaku 300kV X-ray tubes, supported by mobile darkroom facilities on custom-made, rugged four-wheel-drive trucks designed explicitly for Cooper Basin’s harsh and sometimes challenging conditions. The need for reliability and timely test results drove the deployment of high-powered X-ray equipment and mobile darkrooms.

The Vertech team, comprising a supervisor, specialised crawler technician, nondestructive testing technicians, and trades assistants, was multi-disciplined. This versatile team was equipped to conduct onsite ultrasonic and hardness testing as needed, reducing the requirement to mobilise additional staff and ultimately lowering the overall execution costs.

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A convoy of vehicles, including a four-wheel drive and trucks with safety flags, is parked along a dirt road in a sparse, arid landscape. The leading car tows a large grey trailer emblazoned with the Vertech Group logo. The road stretches into the distance under a clear blue sky, flanked on one side by a low fence and on the other by open, flat terrain with sparse vegetation. The scene suggests an industrial or maintenance activity in a remote, desert-like environment.
A convoy of vehicles, including a four-wheel drive and trucks with safety flags, is parked along a dirt road in a sparse, arid landscape. The leading car tows a large grey trailer emblazoned with the Vertech Group logo. The road stretches into the distance under a clear blue sky, flanked on one side by a low fence and on the other by open, flat terrain with sparse vegetation. The scene suggests an industrial or maintenance activity in a remote, desert-like environment.
An expansive view of a flat, arid landscape with a long dirt road stretching straight into the distance. Parallel to the road, a large metal pipeline is supported at intervals by wooden beams. A white pickup truck is parked beside the pipeline, dwarfed by the vastness of the terrain. The open sky is partially cloudy with hints of blue, and the horizon line is unbroken, save for the faint suggestion of distant vegetation. The scene indicates infrastructure development in a remote, sparsely vegetated desert area.
A long, straight dirt road bisects a desert landscape under a cloudy sky. Parallel to the road runs a lengthy pipeline supported by wooden blocks. The reddish-brown earth resembles arid regions, and sparse vegetation dots the area. In the distance, a sequence of dunes rises gently against the horizon, their orange hues contrasting with the overcast sky above. This scene showcases the juxtaposition of industrial infrastructure with the natural environment in a remote setting.
A landscape of a mining site with a series of pipes running parallel to a dirt road, extending toward the horizon. Large mounds of reddish-brown earth pile up on either side of the pathway, indicating recent excavation or construction. The sky is overcast with greyish clouds, suggesting a possible storm approaching, while sparse vegetation dots the otherwise barren and sandy terrain.
A large mobile container unit is mounted on a dual-axle trailer parked on sandy terrain under a clear sky. The side of the container displays the Vertech Group logo. An orange safety flag on a pole and a diamond-shaped chemical hazard sign are visible on the left. The trailer is equipped with off-road tyres suitable for the terrain, and a sturdy metal step provides access to the container's door. The shadows on the ground indicate bright overhead sunlight, which is common in outback environments.
Two vehicles, a four-wheel drive and a ute, are stationary beside a long pipeline on a vast red sandy terrain. The pipeline extends across the image, disappearing into the horizon under a cloudless sky. The terrain is flat with sparse green shrubbery, typical of arid or desert regions. The bright sunlight casts short shadows from the vehicles, indicating a time around midday. The environment is reminiscent of a remote industrial site in a desert setting.
A bright sun hangs high in a hazy blue sky, casting a soft glow over a dusty dirt road. The road stretches straight into the horizon, flanked on the right by a long pipeline supported by stands above the ground. The glare from the sun creates a slight lens flare, and thin clouds are barely visible in the sky. The scene is tranquil, with no visible movement except the swirling dust, which suggests a breeze across the otherwise still landscape.
The sun sits low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over a sandy landscape with tyre tracks marking the path. A pipeline runs parallel to the path on the right-hand side, partially buried in the sand. Sparse vegetation is visible in the distance, and safety markers are positioned at intervals alongside the pipeline. The shadow of the vehicle from which the photo was taken stretches towards the sunset, suggesting the image was captured during early morning or late afternoon.
A trench dug into the dry, earthen ground under a clear blue sky. A single, long pipeline is installed within the trench, running straight through the centre of the frame. Sunlight floods the scene from the top left corner, causing a slight flare in the image and highlighting the textures of the dirt walls. A figure is visible at the front end of the trench, standing and looking towards the camera, their shadow stretching long beside the pipeline. The depth of the trench about the standing figure suggests it is several feet deep.
A mobile grey container with the "VERTECH GROUP" logo sits on an orange trailer, hitched to a white utility vehicle on a dusty, unsealed road. The car has a visible registration plate and is equipped with a high-visibility flag for safety. There is sparse vegetation in the background under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, suggesting a remote, arid environment. Safety equipment and small orange cones near the vehicle indicate ongoing work or operations.
A vast, flat expanse of arid land stretches into the distance, marked by a straight, unsealed road cutting through the landscape. Parallel to the road runs a large metal pipeline, supported intermittently by wooden blocks. A white utility vehicle is parked beside the pipeline, its presence minuscule in the vastness of the terrain. The environment is characterised by red soil, sparse green shrubbery, and a wide horizon under a partly cloudy sky, evoking a sense of remote industrial activity in a desert-like setting.
A convoy of vehicles, including a four-wheel drive and trucks with safety flags, is parked along a dirt road in a sparse, arid landscape. The leading car tows a large grey trailer emblazoned with the Vertech Group logo. The road stretches into the distance under a clear blue sky, flanked on one side by a low fence and on the other by open, flat terrain with sparse vegetation. The scene suggests an industrial or maintenance activity in a remote, desert-like environment.loading=
An expansive view of a flat, arid landscape with a long dirt road stretching straight into the distance. Parallel to the road, a large metal pipeline is supported at intervals by wooden beams. A white pickup truck is parked beside the pipeline, dwarfed by the vastness of the terrain. The open sky is partially cloudy with hints of blue, and the horizon line is unbroken, save for the faint suggestion of distant vegetation. The scene indicates infrastructure development in a remote, sparsely vegetated desert area.loading=
A long, straight dirt road bisects a desert landscape under a cloudy sky. Parallel to the road runs a lengthy pipeline supported by wooden blocks. The reddish-brown earth resembles arid regions, and sparse vegetation dots the area. In the distance, a sequence of dunes rises gently against the horizon, their orange hues contrasting with the overcast sky above. This scene showcases the juxtaposition of industrial infrastructure with the natural environment in a remote setting.loading=
A landscape of a mining site with a series of pipes running parallel to a dirt road, extending toward the horizon. Large mounds of reddish-brown earth pile up on either side of the pathway, indicating recent excavation or construction. The sky is overcast with greyish clouds, suggesting a possible storm approaching, while sparse vegetation dots the otherwise barren and sandy terrain.loading=
A large mobile container unit is mounted on a dual-axle trailer parked on sandy terrain under a clear sky. The side of the container displays the Vertech Group logo. An orange safety flag on a pole and a diamond-shaped chemical hazard sign are visible on the left. The trailer is equipped with off-road tyres suitable for the terrain, and a sturdy metal step provides access to the container's door. The shadows on the ground indicate bright overhead sunlight, which is common in outback environments.loading=
Two vehicles, a four-wheel drive and a ute, are stationary beside a long pipeline on a vast red sandy terrain. The pipeline extends across the image, disappearing into the horizon under a cloudless sky. The terrain is flat with sparse green shrubbery, typical of arid or desert regions. The bright sunlight casts short shadows from the vehicles, indicating a time around midday. The environment is reminiscent of a remote industrial site in a desert setting.loading=
A bright sun hangs high in a hazy blue sky, casting a soft glow over a dusty dirt road. The road stretches straight into the horizon, flanked on the right by a long pipeline supported by stands above the ground. The glare from the sun creates a slight lens flare, and thin clouds are barely visible in the sky. The scene is tranquil, with no visible movement except the swirling dust, which suggests a breeze across the otherwise still landscape.loading=
The sun sits low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over a sandy landscape with tyre tracks marking the path. A pipeline runs parallel to the path on the right-hand side, partially buried in the sand. Sparse vegetation is visible in the distance, and safety markers are positioned at intervals alongside the pipeline. The shadow of the vehicle from which the photo was taken stretches towards the sunset, suggesting the image was captured during early morning or late afternoon.loading=
A trench dug into the dry, earthen ground under a clear blue sky. A single, long pipeline is installed within the trench, running straight through the centre of the frame. Sunlight floods the scene from the top left corner, causing a slight flare in the image and highlighting the textures of the dirt walls. A figure is visible at the front end of the trench, standing and looking towards the camera, their shadow stretching long beside the pipeline. The depth of the trench about the standing figure suggests it is several feet deep.loading=
A mobile grey container with the "VERTECH GROUP" logo sits on an orange trailer, hitched to a white utility vehicle on a dusty, unsealed road. The car has a visible registration plate and is equipped with a high-visibility flag for safety. There is sparse vegetation in the background under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, suggesting a remote, arid environment. Safety equipment and small orange cones near the vehicle indicate ongoing work or operations.loading=
A vast, flat expanse of arid land stretches into the distance, marked by a straight, unsealed road cutting through the landscape. Parallel to the road runs a large metal pipeline, supported intermittently by wooden blocks. A white utility vehicle is parked beside the pipeline, its presence minuscule in the vastness of the terrain. The environment is characterised by red soil, sparse green shrubbery, and a wide horizon under a partly cloudy sky, evoking a sense of remote industrial activity in a desert-like setting.loading=
Moomba CSS Case Study
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