Plug-and-Play Precision for INPEX’s Ichthys LNG Facility

In late 2019, Darwin-based Cell Engineering approached B&R Enclosures (B&R) to assist with the replacement of hazardous area electrical enclosures including local control stations (LCS) and junction boxes at INPEX’s Ichthys LNG on-shore processing facility in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Just 18 months after commissioning, the original enclosures installed by another supplier had begun leaking and failing due to poor suitability for the harsh tropical environment. The challenge: design and manufacture high-quality, fit-for-purpose replacements that matched the existing units exactly, allowing seamless “plug-and-play” installation with minimal on-site disruption.

Having supplied thousands of junction boxes and control stations for the Ichthys project during its construction phase, B&R was already a trusted name on site. Leveraging its hazardous area testing facility in Sydney, B&R collaborated closely with Cell Engineering over six weeks to finalise a design that would meet the application requirements while maintaining exact dimensional compatibility. A prototype was approved within two weeks, and by March 2020, full production of 500 stainless-steel, IP66-rated enclosures was underway. Deliveries began in May, with all units supplied by the end of June — even amid the challenges of early pandemic restrictions.

The result was a durable, corrosion-resistant, and fully certified solution that could be installed rapidly with minimal downtime. Each enclosure was pre-wired with changeover switches and push buttons, allowing for straightforward replacement of the faulty units. The success of this approach not only solved a costly maintenance issue for the client but also reinforced B&R’s position as a trusted partner for hazardous area solutions in demanding environments.

Since completing the initial order, more than 200 additional non-B&R enclosures on the Ichthys site have been identified for replacement — all now being supplied by B&R. This ongoing relationship highlights B&R’s ability to deliver reliable, application-specific products and strengthen long-term partnerships through quality, precision, and responsiveness.