North West Shelf

Experience counts. For 40 years, the North West Shelf has been delivering natural gas to customers in Australia and around the world.

Get to know the project

For 40 years, the North West Shelf (NWS) Project has been producing affordable and reliable energy for Western Australian and global customers and investing in the Pilbara community.

 

As one of the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the world, the NWS Project has supplied energy to Australian and international customers since the 1980’s, investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy and community. It has pioneered the LNG industry in Australia and is a nationally significant asset.

The NWS Project is a major employer in and around Karratha, supporting the development of a local workforce through training and employment pathways and contracting opportunities throughout Western Australia.

After decades of processing only the NWS resources, the Karratha Gas Plant (KGP) has now also begun processing gas for other resource owners, who pay a toll to use the facility. A transformation that enables this landmark facility to continue to supply energy to Western Australia and international markets for decades to come.


Aerial of Karratha Gas Plant, part of North West Shelf Project, Pilbara

Key stats

40
years operating
6000+
LNG cargoes since 1989
A$34 BILLION
investment

Goodwyn Area Infill Development 

The Offshore Project Proposal (OPP) for the Goodwyn Area Infill Development is open for public comment until 23 September 2024. 

If you have feedback specific to the activities described under the OPP, please submit your comments on NOPSEMA’s website: Offshore project proposals | NOPSEMA

More information on the Goodwyn Area Infill Development OPP can be found here


2023 North West Australia Community Development Report

We understand the importance of supporting strong local content, economic outcomes, positive social contribution impacts, and sustainable local supply chains that deliver benefits to our host communities.

During 2023, Woodside, as operator of the North West Shelf Project, continued to focus on safe and reliable operations and the delivery of community development outcomes.

82 %
of the A$1,788 million spent by the NWS Project on operational and capital expenditure went to WA-based businesses.

More than

A$5 million
invested by the NWS Project in community programs and events in the City of Karratha.
169
contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses and 282 Indigenous people employed by our contractors.
NWS CDP Report Image

Participating interests

Participant
Woodside (operator)
BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd   
CNOOC
Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd
Shell Australia Pty Ltd

*The North West Shelf consists of a number of active joint ventures. Woodside’s aggregate interest is 33.33% in all of these apart from the NWS joint ventures with CNOOC. Woodside’s participating interest in the CLNG JV is 25% and in the Extended Interest JVs is 31.567%.

Woodside Energy announced on 19 December 2024 an asset swap transaction with Chevron Australia, which once completed will increase Woodside Energy's equity interest in the North West Shelf. See announcement here.

Pilbara enquiries
Phone:

1800 634 988

Fax:

61 8 9158 8000

Street Address:

Level 3, 24 Sharpe Avenue
Karratha WA 6714
Australia