据普氏能源资讯2月17日消息，日本INPEX的一位发言人说，澳大利亚Ichthys液化天然气项目已经进口了冷却货物，并将于5月投入运行。

Inpex在价值370亿美元的Ichthys液化天然气项目中拥有62.245%的股份，该项目已被多次推迟。该项目的液化天然气生产能力为890万吨/年，市场参与者预计其增长将对市场价格和产量产生重大影响。

S&P Global Platts此前报道称，Ichthys液化天然气最初计划在4月26日接收冷却货物。

Inpex表示，“冷却”是指提前冷却储罐和管道，以便顺利启动，这是启动新液化天然气工厂的常见程序。

发言人说：“为了在工厂启动前用液化天然气（LNG）冷却陆上加工厂设施，进口了一批货物。”她补充说：“今年5月，该项目计划完成在中央处理厂（Ichthys Explorer）启动生产所需的调试，随后将从井口开始生产。”

Inpex表示，此后，该项目将开始依次生产和运输凝析油、液化天然气和液化石油气。

“液化天然气货物将于2018年运出。具体时间将根据天气状况和未来生产启动活动的顺序确定，”该公司补充说。除INPEX外，道达尔持有Ichthys 30%的股份，其余7.755%的股份分别由CPC、东京天然气、大阪天然气、关西电气、Jera和Toho Gas持有。

胡晶晶摘译自普氏能源资讯

原文如下

Japan's Inpex keeps end-May commissioning for Ichthys LNG project

The Ichthys LNG project in Australia has imported its cool-down cargo andis on track for commissioning in May, a spokeswoman for Japan's Inpex said.

Inpex has a 62.245% stake in the $37 billion Ichthys LNG project whichhas been delayed several times. The project has an LNG production capacity of8.9 million mt/year and market participants expect its ramp-up to have asignificant impact on market prices and volumes.

Ichthys LNG was initially scheduled to receive its cool down cargo onApril 26, S&P Global Platts previously reported.

"Cool down" refers to cooling the tanks and pipes beforehand in order tosmoothly proceed with the start-up and it is a common procedure in starting upnew LNG plants, Inpex said.

"A cargo was imported in order to cool down the onshore processing plantfacility using liquefied natural gas (LNG) prior to the start-up of thefacility," the spokeswoman said. "In May, the project is scheduled to complete the commissioning requiredfor production start-up at the central processing facility (Ichthys Explorer)and subsequently will commence production from the wellhead," she added.

Thereafter, the project will begin production and shipment of condensate,LNG and liquefied petroleum gas in sequence, Inpex said.

"Liquefied natural gas cargos will be shipped out in 2018. Specifictimings will be determined on weather conditions and the sequence ofproduction start-up activities going forward," the company added. Apart from Inpex, Total holds a 30% stake in Ichthys, while the remaining7.755% stake is held separately by CPC, Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, Kansai Electric,JERA and Toho Gas.