Wedoany.com Report-May 29, Woodside Energy, an Australian energy company, has welcomed the federal government’s proposed decision to grant environmental approval for the extension of its North West Shelf (NWS) gas project, located 1,260 kilometers north of Perth in Western Australia. The approval extends the project’s operational life from 2030 to 2070, following the Western Australian government’s approval in December 2024 after a six-year assessment process. This decision supports the ongoing operation of the Karratha gas plant, enabling the processing of NWS joint venture and third-party gas resources.

Karratha gas plant

The NWS project has been a significant contributor to energy supply, delivering over 6,000 petajoules of domestic gas, equivalent to powering a city like Perth for approximately 175 years if used solely for household electricity. It has generated over A$40 billion (approximately US$25.79 billion) in royalties and excise, created jobs, and supported contracting opportunities in the Pilbara region. Additionally, over A$300 million (nearly US$193.42 million) has been invested in social and community infrastructure in Karratha. The extension is also critical for advancing Woodside’s A$30 billion Browse gas project.

Liz Westcott, Woodside’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, stated: “This proposed approval will secure the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf and the thousands of direct and indirect jobs that it supports. This nationally significant infrastructure has supplied reliable and affordable energy to Western Australia for 40 years and international customers for 35 years and will be able to continue its contribution to energy security.”

Woodside emphasized its commitment to environmental and cultural responsibilities, noting: “We recognise the significance of these matters and are reviewing the proposed conditions to understand their application. We remain committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape and support its World Heritage nomination. We believe long-term co-existence between cultural heritage and industry is possible when guided by credible science, Traditional Custodian leadership, and genuine collaboration.” The company has implemented measures to reduce air emissions and manage greenhouse gases, including consultation with Traditional Owners and compliance with air QUALITY standards from the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program.

The project supports energy reliability and economic growth in Western Australia while incorporating environmental management strategies. Woodside’s final investment decision on the low-pressure operation at Goodwyn Alpha aims to boost production from the Goodwyn area reservoirs, ensuring the long-term viability of the NWS project and its contributions to the region’s energy and economic landscape.