New Crux project operator Shell, which has taken over from Nexus, will be driving development of the gas condensate field off Australia as a potential FLNG hub that could be its second such facility after Prelude.

Development options on the ­table for Crux, and the nearby ­Auriga and Caelum prospects in block AC/L9 in East Browse, include a new production floater that could also process third-party gas or a project that makes use of the Prelude unit.

To date, about 2.2