Shell pushes floating LNG off Timor

Shell Australia says potential North American customers for the Greater Sunrise gas field in the Timor Sea will be lost if the venture does not commit to a floating liquefied natural gas project by October. The Sunrise venture has been locked in conflict, with operator Woodside Petroleum and Royal Dutch/Shell supporting a floating LNG project, while Phillips Petroleum would like to see the gas brought onshore to Darwin to service the domestic gas market. Shell Eastern Developments wants to use Greater Sunrise gas to supply markets in Southern California and Mexico. Phillips Oil Co. Australia President Stephen Brand says Phillips will remain committed to the Greater Sunrise project regardless of the outcome.