Jet Zero Australia Pty Ltd (Jet Zero) has announced the signing of a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract with Technip Energies, alongside the continuation of its Owner’s Engineering Services Contract with Long Energy & Resources (LERA) for Project Ulysses. This bioethanol-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiative is set to take place in Townsville, Australia.
These contracts, spanning several months, will involve a comprehensive range of engineering activities, documentation, and planning efforts. They are designed to refine the project’s cost estimate, establish detailed timelines, and prepare a foundation for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts that will follow.
Also read: Jet Zero Australia commences FEED with Technip Energies to advance Australia’s first bioethanol to SAF Project
Project Ulysses aims to produce 102 million liters of SAF and 11 million liters of renewable diesel annually by 2028, using Australian bioethanol and LanzaJet’s innovative Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology. This project is expected to significantly benefit North Queensland’s economy by creating over 100 skilled operational jobs, while enhancing Australia’s energy security by bolstering domestic jet fuel production for both civilian and military aviation.
Technip Energies, a global leader in energy and decarbonization infrastructure, will spearhead the FEED activities from Perth and Brisbane. The company will provide a full suite of multi-disciplinary EPC services, drawing on its expertise and experience.
Meanwhile, LERA will continue to support the project by providing specialized project management and owner engineering services from Brisbane, ensuring that the FEED engineering aligns with Jet Zero’s design philosophy and meets contractual standards.
The $36.8 million FEED program is backed by significant funding from Jet Zero’s investors and industry partners, including Airbus, Qantas, Idemitsu of Japan, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of the Advancing Renewables Program. The Queensland Government’s Department of State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning (DSDIP) is also contributing to the initiative.
Janelle Poole MP, Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans, and North Queensland, emphasized the Queensland Government’s commitment to fostering new industries and economic growth, particularly in regional areas. She highlighted the importance of collaboration with agricultural sectors to expand the biofuels industry.
The announcement was made at an industry event hosted by Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer Julie Kitcher. The signing ceremony was attended by key figures, including Gareth Philp, Managing Director of Technip Energies Australia; Chris Lawson, CEO of LERA; and Ed Mason, CEO of Jet Zero. The event was also witnessed by Qantas Chief Sustainability Officer Fiona Messent and LanzaJet’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Flyn Van Ewijk.
