Woodside Says NWS Project Extensions Gets Environmental Approval

(Energy Analytics Institute, 12.Dec.2024) — Woodside Energy and the North West Shelf Joint Venture said an environmental approval by the Western Australian Government for the extension of the project was a welcomed announcement.

“After six years of assessment and appeals, this is a critical step in the approvals process to underpin the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project so it can continue to deliver a reliable supply of energy locally and globally. The State’s decision recommences the Federal environmental approvals process, which was paused while appeals were being considered,” Woodside announced 12 Dec. 2024 in an official statement.

Woodside EVP and COO Australia Liz Westcott said the approval was an important step to enable the long-term processing of North West Shelf Joint Venture field resources and third-party gas resources through the Karratha Gas Plant.

“This year we are celebrating 40 years of domestic gas production from the Karratha Gas Plant and 35 years of LNG exports – a contribution to reliable energy supply which can continue for years to come,” Westcott said. “We look forward to the finalization of the Federal approval process to provide certainty around the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project. By using existing infrastructure, the Project can continue to support local and global energy security and regional development opportunities in the Pilbara in northern Western Australia.”

Environmental management measures

As part of the approval, the North West Shelf committed to a range of environmental management measures, including a significant reduction in air emissions such as Oxides of Nitrogen and Volatile Organic Compounds as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management measures to reduce emissions over time, Woodside said in the statement.

The North West Shelf Project commenced operations in 1984. Since, the project has supplied over 6,000 petajoules of domestic gas, powering homes and industry in Western Australia. If this amount of gas were solely for household use, it would provide enough power for every home in a city the size of Perth for approximately 175 years, according to Woodside.

Over the past four decades, the North West Shelf Project has paid over $40bn in royalties and excise, provided employment and contracting opportunities to the Pilbara community and invested well over $300mn in social and community infrastructure.

“We are committed to ensuring we continue to meet all environmental requirements, including the conditions of this approval, and engage in meaningful consultation with Traditional Owners regarding our activities,” Westcott said.

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