Scarborough Energy Project

The Scarborough energy project will significantly contribute to Woodside’s cash flow, enabling us to take forward a range of new energy opportunities and thrive through the energy transition. As the world transitions towards net zero and the use of renewables continues to grow, Scarborough will play a key role in supporting those countries that still lack access to affordable and reliable energy. More than half the world’s population lives in Woodside’s target market regions and all of Woodside’s principal target LNG markets are in countries that have committed to net zero and currently have a heavy reliance on coal to meet their energy needs. Our customers are using LNG as part of their plans to meet their emissions goals – by replacing coal, or firming up renewables, or in hard-to-abate sectors. Scarborough gas processed through Pluto Train 2 will be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of LNG delivered into Asian markets. 

Woodside is committed to playing a significant role in the world’s energy transformation, through limiting our own emissions and reducing global emissions by supplying cleaner energy to a world that needs it.  Woodside will reduce Scarborough’s direct GHG emissions to as low as reasonably practical by incorporating energy efficiency measures in design and operations. Further information on how this is being achieved is included in the Scarborough Offshore Project Proposal, sections 4.5.4.1 and 7.1.3.

We've also set targets at Pluto, our world-class natural gas facility, to put us on track to net zero emissions by 2050. Woodside’s Pluto Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program (GGAP) was approved by the Western Australian Minister for Environment in June 2021. The GGAP includes interim and long-term targets to achieve a 30% emissions reduction from approved levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050 across the entire project¹. The targets incorporate emissions associated with Pluto Train 2.

_{¹ Pluto LNG Development Public Environmental Review (2006) emissions estimate of 4.1 Mtpa CO2-e for two LNG trains}

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Our approach to climate change
Pluto LNG Facility Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program
Pluto LNG Facility Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program Factsheet

As part of the Scarborough development, an Offshore Project Proposal (OPP) has been accepted by NOPSEMA in accordance with the requirements of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 (Environment Regulations), and associated guidelines.

The OPP will be implemented by ensuring that all petroleum activities are within the scope of the accepted OPP, and the adoption of controls and environmental performance outcomes specified in the OPP in any future petroleum activity Environment Plans (EPs).

Woodside has developed the Environmental Management Implementation Approach for Scarborough gas plant, which consists of:

• managing activities in accordance with existing fit-for purpose systems, practices and procedures under the Woodside Management System
• identifying key roles and responsibilities for Woodside and contractor personnel in relation to the implementation and management of Environmental Performance Outcomes (EPOs) for Scarborough
• developing plans and procedures for emergency preparedness and response for all future petroleum activities
• monitoring of EPO implementation through controls, environmental performance standards and associated measurement criteria specific to the activity for which an EP is being developed
• undertaking environmental performance audits
• reporting on the environmental performance of the project to NOPSEMA
• managing changes to the OPP concerning the activity scope, understanding of the environment, and potential new advice from external stakeholders.

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Environmental management approach

Scarborough Dredging and Spoil Disposal Management Plan

Woodside continues to work with Traditional Custodians to identify, manage and protect heritage in the area to support the development of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan. Following discovery of Australia's first subsea Indigenous artefacts in the waters off Murujuga in July 2020, Woodside has proactively sought to understand the potential heritage values of the submerged cultural landscape for the Scarborough pipeline. Archaeological and ethnographic assessments have been undertaken to inform the potential for submerged Indigenous cultural heritage to exist in the Scarborough development footprint. The assessments have concluded there is a nil to low likelihood of submerged heritage in the project footprint and no Aboriginal heritage sites were identified under the relevant legislation.

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Cultural Heritage Management 

Scarborough Cultural Heritage Management Plan

Scarborough Pipeline Cultural Heritage Assessment – Executive Summary

Extending agreements with Pilbara Aboriginal groups