State environmental approval received for North West Shelf Project Extension
The Karratha Gas Plant has reached a significant milestone with the State Government providing environmental approval for ongoing North West Shelf onshore operations.
Woodside and its North West Shelf Joint Venture welcomed the Western Australian Government’s decision in December to grant environmental approval for the North West Shelf Project Extension.
The approval follows six years of assessment and appeals and is a critical step in the process to ensure the continued 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 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Australia Liz Westcott said State approval of the North West Shelf Project Extension is 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."
"We look forward to the finalisation 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."
"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."
As required under this approval, the North West Shelf Project is 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 emissions management measures to reduce emissions over time.
After more than four decades of operations, the North West Shelf Project remains a cornerstone of Woodside’s portfolio. It has supplied more than 6000 petajoules of domestic gas – enough to power every home in a city the size of Perth for 175 years. The Project has also paid more than $40 billion in royalties and excise, created job opportunities in the Pilbara and invested well over $300 million in local community and infrastructure projects.
