London — The Australian oil and gas upstream industry is expected to reach a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the period 2026-2032.
The Australian oil and gas industry is expected to pay a record $21.9 billion in taxes and royalties to federal, state and territory governments in 2024-25.
Sarens has participated in Shell Australia’s CRUX Project for the installation of an unmanned platform (NNM) with five production wells, located in offshore waters at approximately 165 m depth.
According to Verified Market Research data, the Australian oil and gas upstream market is expected to reach US$56 billion by 2032, driven by increased energy demand, technological advances, and the promotion of low-pollution energy methods.
By 2024, this sector’s value reached US$38.5 billion, consolidating its position as an engine of productivity and economic growth in Australia, and is expected to reach a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the period 2026-2032, highlighting the industry’s significant and lasting impact on the Australian economy. In fact, this industry already accounts for 3.7% of the country’s GDP.
Moreover, the Australian oil and gas industry is expected to pay a record $21.9 billion in taxes and royalties to federal, state and territory governments in 2024-25. In this context, significant investment is being made in the development of gas extraction plants, such as the Crux Project, Shell Australia’s natural gas field development in the Browse Basin (northwestern Australia).
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services has participated in the establishment of the Crux project, thus reaffirming its role as a strategic partner for major developments in the energy industry, showcasing its expertise in heavy lifting and complex engineering solutions.
This project, designed as support for Prelude FLNG, involved the installation of an unmanned platform (NNM) with five production wells, located in offshore waters at approximately 165 m depth, which will later be connected to Prelude via a 160 km export pipeline.
For this, Sarens had to transport and position the nearly 26,000-ton, 190-meter-long jacket, deploying two sets of four 850-ton strandjacks, ballasting systems with over 40 pumps, and 800-ton jacks to ensure continuous operations 24/7 under the stringent standards of DNV Class 1. The planning also included the integration of a contingency plan for the jacket removal, demonstrating the company’s ability to anticipate critical scenarios and ensure operational stability.
The result was a safe, controlled execution completed within the planned time frame, thanks to a team mobilized from Sarens’ depot in Malaysia and the combination of advanced technology with carefully designed logistics.
This operation not only consolidates the trust of clients like PTMI, who had previously worked with Sarens on other projects, but also reinforces the company’s contribution to more sustainable energy development in the region.
The CRUX Project will not only ensure the supply of natural gas to growing Asian markets, supporting the transition from coal to cleaner energy sources, but also strengthen the local Australian economy through employment and training, confirming Sarens’ role as a key enabler in building critical infrastructure for the global energy transition.
The start of other projects, such as the 37 km-long Sturt Plateau gas pipeline, with an investment of AUD 70 million, will connect the Shenandoah South pilot project with the Amadeus pipeline, ensuring the supply of natural gas to remote communities, homes, and businesses, and indirectly contributing to supply toward the east coast.
At the same time, the opening of 9 new exploration areas in Queensland, covering 16,000 km² in the Cooper/Eromanga and Bowen/Surat basins, contributes to the goal of increasing local production, stabilizing energy prices, and reducing dependence on imports or supplies from other regions. Together with the CRUX Project, these efforts also represent strategic steps to strengthen Australia’s energy infrastructure and production.
According to Richard Andrianto, Sarens Project Manager, “We are very proud to have participated in such a strategic project as CRUX, which not only strengthens the region’s energy security but also drives the transition to cleaner energy sources. Our commitment is to provide high-level engineering solutions that ensure safe, efficient, and on-time execution. This project once again demonstrates the trust our clients place in us and reaffirms Sarens’ role as a key partner in the development of critical infrastructure in the global energy industry”.
Sarens has extensive experience in the Oil & Gas industry, having participated in other projects such as the lifting and installation of 25 beams ranging from 26.8 to 181.6 tons for the creation of the RTS Link between Malaysia and Singapore. Similarly, Sarens has demonstrated its ability to carry out any type of project internationally, having collaborated on regional projects such as the methanol plant in Sarawak and the Kasawari gas extraction platform, as well as the new GDS data center in Johor Bahru, where it was responsible for the installation of the facility’s cooling tower.
