Human rights

In 2024, we submitted our fourth Modern Slavery Statement in accordance with the obligations under the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) and our second statement under the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015. This Modern Slavery Statement covers our operations and supply chain throughout 2023. Our next Modern Slavery Statement is anticipated to be published in the first half of 2025.

2023 Modern Slavery Statement

During 2024, we did not identify any instances of modern slavery through our grievance mechanisms or due diligence activities. However, we acknowledge that this does not necessarily mean modern slavery is not present in our supply chains and we remain committed to continuous improvement in our approach to identifying instances or risks of modern slavery.

We expect our suppliers to also respect human rights and not tolerate the occurrence of modern slavery in our supply chain. We continue to assess supplier human rights related risks through our Supply Chain Modern Slavery Risk Management Framework. The Framework is informed by our Supplier Code of Business Conduct, contractual commitments, and internal guidelines. In 2022, we updated our Supplier Code of Business Conduct.

In 2023, we rolled out our Modern Slavery in Contracting and Procurement Guideline which describes our due diligence process to assess, assign and manage supplier modern slavery risk throughout the contracting life cycle. This was accompanied with training of our Australian based Contracting and Procurement staff. In 2024 we rolled out training to our overseas Contracting and Procurement staff. Our ongoing training program will consist of an online training module, to be rolled out in H1 2025 and in-person sessions conducted bi-annually for Contracting and Procurement staff.

We also engaged a third party to provide a risk management and compliance solution to help us assess modern slavery risk across our merged BHP and Woodside Supply Chain. The solution was introduced in Q4 2023. In 2024 the modern slavery risk map of our merged Supply Chain informed our efforts and enhanced our understanding of our supply chain risk. We have also used the solution to review supplier risk in a major construction project to inform our overall risk management of high-risk suppliers identified.

In 2023, following a desktop audit, we conducted an on-site assessment of a third-party operated supply base (storage location for essential equipment and supplies) in Senegal. Whilst no adverse human rights issues were identified, we did identify opportunities for procedural improvements (both in their Human Rights Management and Employment Contracts) and we will continue to work with the supply base to address these.

In addition, we have also developed and trialed a Supplier Site Visit Checklist. The checklist is designed to be used by Woodside personnel visiting supplier premises to observe any indicators of modern slavery or labour issues as well as process for escalation to independent third-party audits. We are currently trialing the checklist on a high-risk supplier for our Pluto Train 1 project. We will continue to trial and update the checklist as required.

We will continue to seek opportunities to work with our contractors to further understand risks in the supply chain. If we identify adverse human rights impacts in our supply chain, we may not immediately terminate the relationship, but we will consider whether we play a role in remediation. If the supplier is not receptive to remedying the impact and improving their practices, then we may terminate the relationship.

Woodside remains an active member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) initiative. Our approach to respecting human rights in line with the VPSHR principles focuses on risk assessments, training, management of arrangements with private security providers and where applicable, arrangements with public security.  

Shape the Woodside process for reviewing and conducting assurance for Security and Human Rights (S&HR) was reviewed in 2023, and the 2024 S&HR assurance plan implemented.

Our eLearning course for VPSHR, developed by Woodside specifically for contract personnel, was successfully updated to include Portuguese, Spanish, Indonesian and French translations in Q1 2024. In March 2024, the course was delivered in person to our security contractors in Trinidad and Tobago.

In Senegal, we continued to mature the implementation of our VPSHR framework, ensuring ongoing awareness and safe management of security related human rights. In August 2024, the annual VPSHR conformance assessment of our primary, in country, private security provider was completed. This conformance assessment reinforced a commitment to providing training for our employees and contractors regarding our human rights policy and approach.  

Woodside complies with Senegalese legislation for offshore oil and gas platforms and vessels, where the continuous presence of an unarmed Senegalese naval officer in a liaison role must be maintained.  

Ongoing engagement with the Senegalese Navy and other Senegalese Government authorities continue to ensure a shared understanding of the offshore security environment and deployment of a fit for purpose management framework for maritime security and safety risks.  

There has been a decrease in civil unrest in Senegal since the presidential election held in early 2024. Woodside continues to monitor the situation and has plans in place for the safety of personnel.