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Jul 01, 2025

SIAD Compressor For Australia Ammonia-Urea Plant | Gas Compression Magazine

SIAD has delivered a flash gas compressor (model MS3-2) to Australia to be installed in the world’s largest gas stream ammonia-urea plant. Known as Project Ceres, the plant will be constructed and

SIAD has delivered a flash gas compressor (model MS3-2) to Australia to be installed in the world’s largest gas stream ammonia-urea plant.

Known as Project Ceres, the plant will be constructed and operated in the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area, approximately 6 miles (10 km) from Dampier and 12 miles (20 km) north-west of Karratha on the north-west coastline of Western Australia. The US$4.5 billion project will be Australia’s largest gas stream ammonia-urea plant with a production capacity of 2.3 MTPA. The project is backed by a 20-year gas supply agreement with Woodside and an offtake agreement with Incitec Pivot.

Project owner Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers Pty Ltd. (Perdaman) has appointed Saipem-Clough Joint Venture (SCJV) as the construction contractor for the project. The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract is expected to be completed by mid-2027. Perdaman will then take responsibility of the plant.

The EPC contract covers all phases from engineering and procurement to construction and commissioning. The contract also includes civil works, storage, utilities, and a low-emission power plant.

Project Ceres features a robust utility ecosystem to support its operations and regional development. It will generate 101 MW of power onsite through gas turbine generators, supplemented by an average of 5 MW from installed solar. This energy will be used entirely to power the plant’s operations. Water needs will be met through collaboration with the Water Corporation, including access to a common-user seawater pipeline and an expanded supply network in Dampier. The site includes leased land from Landcorp and part of the Burrup East-West Service Corridor, enabling streamlined transportation of urea to the Pilbara Ports Authority via an approximately 2 mile (3.5 km) closed conveyor for export.

Once completed, the project will join the Woodside operated North West Shelf Venture Project, Woodside’s Pluto LNG Plant, Yara Pilbara Fertilizers Plant, Yara Pilbara Nitrates, and supporting services including the Dampier Port and Toll Logistics Hub. Project Ceres involves piping natural gas from the nearby Woodside operated liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility to the project site. Natural gas is converted to urea and the final granulated product is transported by closed conveyor to the Dampier Port where new facilities will include an enclosed stockpile shed and ship loading facilities.