The North West Shelf (NWS) Project Extension will be delayed again as the State environmental regulator has reopened public consultation, despite a gas shortage looming over WA’s economy.
North West Shelf Project. Image: Woodside Energy
This follows Woodside Energy revising the project plan to reduce the environmental impact, prompting the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to open the proposal for comment for four weeks.
The project is also pending Federal approval, after then-Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek extended the assessment timeline in February.
It has been awaiting approval since 2018. Woodside has continued to provide new environmental data and measures to the regulators since lodging the application.
CCIWA Chief Economist Aaron Morey said on 6PR Mornings that the $30 billion NWS Project was essential for Australia’s green energy transition.
“Our State is holding its collective breath over this decision. This has enormous consequences for the future of our economy and for the future of our society,” he said.
“Western Australian industry requires significant amounts of energy, and we require gas, in particular, to facilitate the roll out of renewable infrastructure.
“Gas will play a role in our economic development and also in lowering emissions across the world, displacing dirtier coal, particularly in Southeast Asia.
“Look at what’s happening across the world – we’re not just seeing an energy transition, we’re seeing a great energy addition. The world is hungry for energy.”
Project scope
The project involves Woodside, as operator, developing three natural gas fields in the offshore Browse Basin.
Woodside says it has the potential to contribute to energy security in WA and the Asia Pacific region, with an estimated production capacity of 11.4 million tonnes of gas per annum.
The proposal includes developing two floating production storage and offloading facilities and about 900 kilometres of pipeline to the existing Karratha plant on the Burrup Peninsula.
The NWS has supplied energy to domestic and international markets since the 1980s and pioneered Australia’s LNG industry. Approval would enable Woodside to continue this until 2070.
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