Site Spotlight : Karratha Gas Plant (KGP)

 

This week we spoke with Gary Clark and Katrina Swanson about their work at the Karratha Gas Plant. We discussed their roles and duties, as well as operations onsite as a whole.

Corporate Protection Australia Group (CPA): Gary, Katrina, what are your current roles at the Karratha LNG Plant?

Gary Clark (GC): I’m an intensive care paramedic;

Katrina Swanson (KS): And I am a registered nurse.

CPA: And what can you tell us about the Karratha Gas Plant?

GC: Regarding industry, it’s an oil and gas refinery. Six major companies work out of Karratha, including Rio Tinto and Chevron, and Woodside oversees the operational aspects.

CPA: What are your primary and auxiliary duties?

GC: We carry out around twenty different tasks at KGP, for example, first-aid training and gas monitoring in the field.

KS: We do a lot of the duties of onsite medics—covering medical, injury management, and onsite drug and alcohol testing. We also conduct health promotion activities onsite.

CPA: So, what can you tell us about the site itself, and its operations?

GC: Karratha has a population of about 15,000 people, and the site itself is a piece of major infrastructure. About 1100 people work onsite at the facility, and we also service the Kings Valley and Pluto facilities. We run the testing lab, and look after between 1200 and 1300 people.

It’s a large infrastructural development, with five working LNG trains, two for domestic gas. We fill about three supertankers a week with LNG, and ship high grade condensate oil. It’s the largest operational gas plant in Australia.

CPA: What do you both find most challenging or fulfilling about your work?

GC: The industry as a whole can be difficult regarding personal and family life. We work long hours, on two week rotations, and you’re bound to miss some holidays—it’s not everyone’s enjoyment.

KS: That said, it’s a very dynamic work environment. Every day is different. Its great helping to facilitate medical roles.

GC: The nearest hospital is about 20 minutes away, so we have to be able to function more or less autonomously.

KS: Using our skills in a remote environment and setting, it’s extremely satisfying.