The Australian metal trades' industry got a big Christmas present this week after the North-West Shelf LNG Expansion Project awarded construction contracts worth more than A$175 million.

A $120 million 'Mechanical On-Plot Erection Contract' was awarded by the Kellogg Joint Venture (KJV), on behalf of NWS Operator Woodside, to CBI Constructors Pty Ltd.

CBI Constructors is the Australian subsidiary of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company NV and has been operating in Australia for more than 60 years. The Mechanical On-Plot is the biggest mechanical erection contract for the Expansion Project and CBI will commence the mobilisation of its workforce to the Burrup Peninsula construction site in March 2002.

The Project also announced the award of a general service contract to the Brambles Monadelphous Joint Venture, worth more than $50m. Under the contract, the Brambles Monadelphous Joint Venture will provide services including warehouse services and on-site logistics, cranes with a lift-capacity of up to 600 tonnes, removal and disposal of waste from site, miscellaneous civil and mechanical erection work.

Amid intense competition, the Project also announced the award of a $10 million pipe-spool contract to Australian company United Construction Pty Ltd. The contract involves the provision of more than 3200 tonnes of stainless and carbon steel piping up to 1.8m in diameter.

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