Worley has been appointed to provide technical advisory and client engineering support for the development of New Zealand's first liquefied natural gas import terminal. The project, a NZ$1 billion facility planned for Taranaki on the North Island, is a government initiative aimed at boosting national energy security, with a target to be operational by 2027 or early 2028.

Worley's Role and Responsibilities

Appointed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), Worley will offer independent technical advice, specification development, and engineering guidance aligned with international best practice throughout the procurement and delivery phases. Its specific duties include helping shape the project's technical foundations, supporting a transparent procurement process, and providing technical assurance during delivery to help MBIE manage risks and maintain progress. The scope of Worley's support will scale with the program's needs, from early procurement through to execution and commissioning readiness.

Project Context and Economic Rationale

The terminal development occurs against a backdrop of dwindling domestic gas production, which led the government to reopen areas for exploration in 2025, reversing a 2018 moratorium. The government estimates that access to LNG could deliver annual economic benefits of NZ$1.2 billion by 2035 and help protect approximately 2000 jobs from the impacts of rising energy prices and gas shortages. The government has shortlisted contractors for the terminal build and aims to finalise a construction contract by mid-2026.