GLADSTONE, Australia, Nov. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel today handed over operational control of the Queensland Curtis LNG plant to its customer, QGC, completing the transition from construction to permanent operations. The plant, based on Curtis Island, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is consistently producing at full capacity.

"More than seven years of planning, construction and commissioning work have led us to this moment. We stand proud as we hand over a world-class plant that will serve our customer well for decades to come," said Alasdair Cathcart, general manager of Bechtel's LNG business line. "QCLNG's success is a tribute to everyone working collaboratively on the project – Bechtel and QGC teams, our supply chain, and the Gladstone community. We put our expertise and experience into bringing this plant to life and finding innovative solutions to challenges of megaproject construction. I would like to thank the entire team for their hard work and commitment in making this extraordinary achievement possible."

Helge Lund, BG Group's Chief Executive, said: "The QGC and Bechtel team deserve great credit for the completion of the project. I would also like to thank our partners, contractors, government authorities, including the State of Queensland, together with the landholders and the communities from across the Surat Basin to Curtis Island, for their support."

QCLNG is the first of three LNG plants being built by Bechtel on Curtis Island to reach full operations. The Santos GLNG project produced its first cargo in October. Australia Pacific LNG has made strong progress in construction, commissioning and start-up prior to its first export before the end of the year.  This year will see four of the six trains on Curtis Island producing LNG, with the remaining two trains expected to come online during 2016.

Bechtel is a world leader in the LNG industry. The company is responsible for about 40% of the world's LNG liquefaction capacity currently under construction. Bechtel is also the principal downstream contractor for the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project in Western Australia.

About Bechtel
Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management, and construction companies in the world. We stand apart for our ability to get the job done right—no matter how big, how complex, or how remote. Bechtel operates through four global business units that specialize in infrastructure; mining and metals; nuclear, security and environmental; and oil, gas, and chemicals. Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Today, our 58,000 colleagues team with customers, partners, and suppliers on diverse projects in 40 countries. www.bechtel.com.

Media contact:

Mat Ovenden
t. +61 7 4862 1067
m. +61 4 78 403 856
movenden@bechtel.com

Warren Getler
t: +1 571 392 3881
m: +1 571 524 3954
wgetler@Bechtel.com

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SOURCE Bechtel