Burrup Water Projects

Pilbara Region, Western Australia

The Water Corporation of Western Australia chose desalination of seawater as the most viable means of supplying new industry on the Burrup Peninsular with high quality water for their processing requirements.

Burrup Fertilisers was the first industry to establish in the WA State Government's new Burrup Peninsula industrial estate.  They will utilise the abundant supply of gas produced by Woodside Petroleum at the Burrup Peninsula to value-add in the production of Ammonia for export.  High quality water (less than 10 ppm salt) is required in their process.

At least five other industrial proponents are lining up to establish their respective new venturesat the Burrup Peninsular industrial estate.  All will require fresh water for their processing requirements.

The first stage of the desalinated water supply project involved construction of a desalination plant for Burrup Fertilisers.  Maunsell was engaged to John Holland as designer for their D&C contract with Water Corporation. VATech WABAG was the desalination process supplier engaged to John Holland.

John Holland McConnell Dowell Joint Venture and Maunsell were separately involved in providing the seawater supply infrastructure consisting of a seawater pumping station, filtration plant, tank and pipeline delivering seawater to the new industrial estate.

Facilities for the desalinated water supply project included:

• Three mechanical vapor compression units
• DN1200 and DN700 seawater supply pipelines
• DN1000 and DN600 brine return pipelines
• Site support facilities, including three buildings
• 33kV power transmission and supply
• A two Megalitre operational storage tank
• Cathodic protection
• AC induction mitigation

Maunsell's role as designer of all balance of plant infrastructure extended across several disciplines and specialist areas including design management, civil, structural, piping, mechanical, electrical, functional control specifications, and corrosion protection.