The Challenge
Complex Site, Tight Deadlines, High Expectations
The Ichthys Project, operated by INPEX, is one of Australia’s largest and most complex energy developments. Located in the Browse Basin off Western Australia’s coast, the project extracts natural gas and condensate from the Ichthys field and transports it via an 890-kilometre subsea pipeline to an onshore processing facility near Darwin. This integrated development includes offshore central processing and floating production units, as well as onshore LNG, LPG, and condensate production trains. With a design life exceeding 40 years, Ichthys is expected to deliver over 8.9 million tonnes of LNG annually.
The project represents a multi-billion-dollar investment and a strategic partnership between INPEX, TotalEnergies, and other stakeholders. It plays a critical role in strengthening Australia’s position as a global LNG exporter while contributing to regional economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development. Ichthys also incorporates advanced technologies for safety, environmental management, and operational efficiency, including remote monitoring and emissions control systems.
From exploration and engineering to commissioning and export, Ichthys exemplifies the scale and complexity of modern energy megaprojects. Its successful delivery underscores the importance of long-term planning, international collaboration, and robust project management in unlocking offshore resources and sustaining global energy supply chains.
Our Approach
Bespoke, Diligent & Detail Driven
On the Ichthys project, the ProfitPays adopted a structured and collaborative approach to support both commercial and quality assurance outcomes. ProfitPays conducted site walks alongside Company and Contractor Quality Inspectors, maintaining detailed records including signed isometrics and photographic evidence. These records were systematically filed by separable portion, module, and system, then collated into a searchable database that categorised painting and insulation inspections and their outcomes.
ProfitPays played a key role in helping the Project Team interpret and apply the collected data, ensuring it informed decision-making and compliance tracking. On the commercial front, ProfitPays administered the electrical, mechanical, and scaffolding packages, reviewing change order requests, drafting commercial correspondence, and participating in commercial meetings.
ProfitPays also supported legal consultants and quantum experts by preparing detailed substantiation and documentation for multiple claims, ensuring clarity and defensibility in all cost-related matters.
Key Services
When disputes arise, it’s the data & records that prove critital
Strategic solutions that ensured alignment between cost, design, and on-site execution.
-
Quantity Surveying Reports
-
Estimating
-
Contract Administration
-
On-Site Commercial Management
-
Defect Tracking
-
Cost-to-Complete Forecasting
-
Dispute Mediation
-
Quantum Analysis
The Results
Legal strategy thrives on data that’s defensible
Coherent QS Reports, Detailed Cost Tracking, Defect Tracking, Quantum Analysis
ProfitPays played a pivotal role in strengthening INPEXs legal position on various construction claims by delivering structured, defensible documentation across multiple fronts. Coherent QS reports formed the backbone of this support – clearly articulating scope, valuation, and contractual context in a format that aligns with legal and commercial expectations. These QS reports distill complex data into persuasive narratives, enabling lawyers and stakeholders to grasp the quantum and causation with clarity.
Detailed cost tracking ensured every variation, delay cost, and incurred expense is captured in real time, reducing reliance on retrospective assumptions. By maintaining a transparent audit trail of approved budgets, actual spend, and forecasted exposure, ProfitPays provided the financial granularity needed to substantiate entitlements or rebut inflated claims.
Defect tracking adds another layer of leverage. By cataloguing non-conformances, rectification costs, and time impacts, ProfitPays was able to quantify the downstream effects of the various defects.
Quantum analysis ties it all together. This involves dissecting claim components, applying valuation principles, and aligning findings with contract mechanisms. Whether it’s assessing disruption, acceleration, or loss of productivity, ProfitPays translates raw data into legally coherent positions.
Gallery
Visual Highlights From the Build
Birds eye view on key stages of the project
Feedback
Client Words That Speak for Themselves
CUEL Limited - Module Yard Fabricators
Having worked with Michael through a number of major Australian projects since about 2011, Michael has proven to be fantastic working alongside, providing valuable support, knowledge and expertise on difficult and complex projects, always willing to offer clients and contractor’s invaluable, independent and impartial advice and guidance in quantity surveying, contract and cost management areas.
CUEL Limited - Module Yard Fabricators
Having worked with Michael through a number of major Australian projects since about 2011, Michael has proven to be fantastic working alongside, providing valuable support, knowledge and expertise on difficult and complex projects, always willing to offer clients and contractor’s invaluable, independent and impartial advice and guidance in quantity surveying, contract and cost management areas.
Did you like it? Share it!
