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Update: Offshore Alliance Claims Inpex Used Unqualified Staff at Australia LNG Plant, Warns of Escalating Action

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(Updates to add NOPSEMA statement in paragraphs 5 and 6)

Workers' union Offshore Alliance on Monday accused Japanese energy company Inpex of using unqualified personnel during periods of protected industrial action at its 9.3 million metric-ton-a-year Ichthys liquefied natural gas export plant in Darwin, northern Australia.

The union claimed in a Facebook post that the health and safety of its members was being put at risk by the company's gross negligence and that it had lodged a formal complaint with the Australian regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.

In a post on Sunday, Offshore Alliance said that Inpex left Saturday's talks, facilitated by the Fair Work Commission, without reaching an agreement on roster and employment matters, minimum staffing levels, and other worker demands.

With no further talks scheduled, the union warned that it plans to intensify its protected industrial action plans on June 11.

A NOPSEMA spokesperson, in an emailed statement to, confirmed receiving a complaint regarding Inpex's operations, including allegations related to personnel monitoring the central control room panel during protected industrial action.

"The health and safety of offshore workers is NOPSEMA's priority, and we expect all titleholders to comply with their accepted safety case and legislative requirements," the statement said, adding that the complaint is being investigated.

Offshore Alliance members, union workers, initiated a limited "industrial action" last Tuesday across all facilities of Inpex's Ichthys LNG plant.

"The strike action includes union members downing tools between 6 am and 8 am and 6 pm and 8 pm, and bans on overcycle, working past 6 am on [demobilization] day, and swapping between day shift and night shift without at least 4 weeks' notice from management," according to a statement from the union's representative last week.

According to an S&P Platts report, the action is expected to continue until June 10.

The workers' body has also provided Inpex notice of another industrial action from June 11 to June 23, according to last week's statement.

According to its website, Offshore Alliance is a partnership between the Australian Workers' Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, and covers workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.

A strike at the facility, which accounts for about 2% of global LNG output, could reportedly have had severe consequences for the market amid the supply disruption at the Strait of Hormuz.

has also reached out to Inpex for comment.

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