Woodside Fact Checker
North West Shelf Project Extension
- A$40 billion The project has paid over $40 billion in royalties and excise
- > 6,000 petajoules The project has contributed over 6,000 petajoules of domestic gas to Western Australia
MYTH:
The North West Shelf Project won’t contribute enough domestic gas and/or will drive up household energy bills.
FACT:
The North West Shelf Project is committed to meeting its domestic gas obligations. Ongoing operations at the North West Shelf will support continued supply of domestic gas to Western Australia, which can help keep downward pressure on prices.
Woodside is transparent about all of its business activities
Get the information on Woodside's key business activities, including its climate approach, the Scarborough project, Australian cultural heritage management, its tax contribution and more.
The Scarborough Energy Project
- A$52.8 billion Taxation and royalty payments estimated to be generated in Australia between 2024 and 2056
- A$90 million Committed to spending more than A$90 million with Karratha businesses
- A$3.6 billion Awarded more than A$3.6 billion in contracts to local Western Australian businesses
- 8.5 million Expected to be large enough to power more than 8.5 million homes for more than 30 years*
MYTH:
The Scarborough Energy Project won’t benefit Australia.
FACT:
A report prepared by consultancy ACIL Allen has found that Woodside’s Scarborough Energy Project is expected to generate an estimated A$52.8 billion in taxation and royalty payments, boost GDP by billions of dollars between 2024 and 2056 and employ 3200 people during peak construction in Western Australia**.
Natural gas producers' contribution to the economy
- 40% Petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) is a 40% profits-based resource tax
- 30% The profits of gas producers remain subject to the corporate income tax regime at 30% of taxable income for large corporates
MYTH:
Most gas exported from Australia is given to foreign owned companies for free, without royalties and natural gas producers barely pay any tax.
FACT:
All gas producers in Australia, including international producers, are subject to the fiscal and regulatory regime, which includes the application of a range of taxes, royalties and levies at both the State and Commonwealth level. The profits of gas producers, net of these specific imposts, remain subject to the corporate income tax regime at 30% of taxable income for large corporates.
Domestic gas supplied to Western Australia
- 3863 petajoules Domestic gas supplied to Western Australia since 1984
MYTH:
Woodside doesn’t provide its fair share of domestic gas.
FACT:
The Western Australian Government has a policy in place to support local gas supply, known as the Domestic Gas (domgas) Policy. Woodside continues to meet its obligations and act in the spirit of that policy.
Scarborough project: Managing emissions
- Less than 0.1% The Scarborough gas field contains less than 0.1% carbon dioxide
MYTH:
The Scarborough Energy Project will emit 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
FACT:
The total direct and indirect GHG emissions from the Scarborough development are estimated to be 878 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent over the project life. This data is in accepted regulatory approval documents.
Managing environmental impacts
- 30 years 30 years of scientific research
- 2023 Awarded the Environment Project Excellence Award at APPEA
- 20 papers Funded research has resulted in over 20 papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
MYTH:
Woodside harms precious marine life and damages important reef systems.
FACT:
Strong partnerships, sound research and transparency are the key elements of Woodside's approach to the environment. All our activities are conducted under strict Australian and international regulations and management controls.
Taxes paid and benefits to the Australian economy
- A$5 billion Australian taxes, royalties and levies paid by Woodside in 2023
- 42% All-in effective tax rate in respect of Woodside's global profits (excluding exceptional items) in 2023
- A$40 billion Federal royalties and excise paid by the Woodside-operated North West Shelf (NWS) project since starting production to 2023 (100% venture)
- A$20 billion Petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) paid by Woodside across its merged portfolio, since the PRRT has applied to 2023
MYTH:
Woodside doesn’t pay taxes or royalties and doesn’t contribute to the Australian economy.
FACT:
Woodside is the largest payer of petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) and among Australia’s top tax contributors. In 2023 alone, Woodside paid a record A$5 billion in Australian taxes, royalties and levies to the Western Australian and Australian governments.
The role of gas in Australia
- 2.2% Forecast natural gas demand increase each year to 2033
- 2026 New gas infrastructure needed by 2026 to meet demand
- 2028 Forecast gap in east coast gas supply will increase from 2028
MYTH:
Australia doesn't need more gas or gas projects.
FACT:
In December 2023, the independent Australian Energy Market Operator's (AEMO) ‘Western Australian Gas Statement of Opportunities’ report forecasted demand for natural gas would increase by an average of 2.2% each year from 2024 to 2033*. At the same time, the current supply trajectory suggests an almost 1% decline on average over the same period.
Woodside Statement on Activism
Woodside is building a lower carbon business and wants to be part of an honest conversation about Australia’s energy needs now and into the future. Woodside fully supports respectful debate, including in relation to complex challenges like climate change.