'Workers fear for their safety': Calls for Gorgon shutdown after cracks found in critical plant components
The Australian Manufacturing Worker's Union has called on LNG giant Chevron to shut down its US$54 billion Gorgon plant after thousands of cracks were found in several essential components during a routine maintenance check, leaving workers "fearing for their safety".
Cracks up to 1 metre long and 30 millimetres deep were found in between eight and 11 kettle heat exchangers on Train 2 of the plant.
Cracks have been found on heat exchangers at Chevron's Gorgon project.
The kettles carry explosive pressurised propane and the union said they were manufactured in Korea at the same time and in the same facility as the other two trains currently still operating, prompting concerns over their safety too.
"The reports we’re hearing of over eight kettles being damaged represents a serious failure in this critical piece of kit,” AMWU WA secretary Steve McCartney said.
“If multiple kettles are showing cracks in testing on Train 2, there is a high risk there are cracks in
the vessels on other trains. If these cracks are in the vessels, they cannot be fixed, and they need
to be replaced immediately.
“These kettles are carrying pressurised propane and the trains are lined up next to each other on
the plate.
“We’re hearing from workers that they’re fearful for their safety and are reluctant to even go out to
the blast-proof wall. We share their fears."
Mr McCartney called on Chevron to shut down operations until it was sure it could safely repair or replace the cracked kettles. He also called on the regulator, the Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety, to enforce a shutdown so all trains could be tested.
An out of action train at Gorgon could potentially cost Chevron hundreds of millions in lost revenue if work took longer than a month.
A Chevron spokeswoman did not say whether the company would shut down operations and inspect the heat exchangers on the other two trains, but said it was pleased with the progress made on the Train 2 maintenance turnaround, which started in May.
She said inspections were ongoing on the Train 2 propane heat exchangers and the relevant regulatory bodies had been informed.
"Learnings from the current maintenance event will inform future turnarounds and afford the same opportunities for improvements," she said.
"Across the Chevron-operated Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities, the company has scheduled a turnaround every year for the next four years."
DMIRS told energy sector news site Boiling Cold the department did not intend to take any action at this stage but may discuss the nature of any general repairs during its routine meetings with Chevron.
The department was expected to provide an update later on Wednesday.