[Theorsell]

HUNDREDS of construction workers on the $43 billion Gorgon gas project will live on a luxury Norwegian cruise ship anchored off Barrow Island.

Nicole Hodgson, spokeswoman for project operator Chevron, said yesterday up to 350 workers would be accommodated on the seven-year-old MS Finnmarken which has lounges, bars and bistro, a hairdresser and a beauty treatment room, a swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, solarium and outside spas. An internet cafe is on deck four.

``A construction camp to accommodate more than 3000 workers will be built on Barrow Island,'' Ms Hodgson said.

``This camp will accommodate workers involved in the onshore construction of the Gorgon LNG and domestic gas-processing plant.

``In addition, up to 350 personnel are to be accommodated on a marine construction support vessel, which will serve as an administration facility for Boskalis Australia, which is building the materials offloading facility.

``The construction of the materials offloading facility is offshore work and the vessel will be equipped with supply, repair and accommodation facilities.

``Gorgon has both onshore and offshore components.

``It is standard practice for personnel undertaking offshore work scopes to be accommodated offshore.

``In this case, this has the additional benefit of reducing the impact of additional work force on the island.

``The vessel will be stationed off Barrow Island in close vicinity to the materials offloading facility operations.

``This work is expected to start in the first quarter of next year.''