SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Australia: EPA decision on Woodside’s Browse gas project postponed

Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) postpones its final decision on Woodside's Browse gas project, delaying a major energy project.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

Woodside Energy’s Browse project, located in the waters off Western Australia, is one of the country’s largest undeveloped natural gas deposits.
Valued at $20.5 billion, the project has been awaiting approval for several decades due to stringent environmental assessment requirements.
The state’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced that its final recommendations will not be published until 2025.
A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald reveals that the EPA already made preliminary comments in February, calling certain conditions of the project “unacceptable”.
Despite this, the EPA prefers not to comment until the assessment process and appeals have been completed.
According to EPA Vice President Lee McIntosh, Woodside has requested several extensions to meet environmental requirements.

A strategic project under close scrutiny

The Browse project is crucial for replacing the aging gas fields that feed the North West Shelf LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant.
It aims to meet the growing demand from major trading partners such as China, Japan and South Korea.
However, the project is hotly contested by environmental groups, who warn of risks to endangered species such as blue pygmy whales and green turtles, as well as threats of pollution and oil spills.
Woodside continues to work closely with regulators to obtain the necessary environmental approvals.
As a result, the company’s shares fell by around 3% in late morning trading, a trend in line with the general market decline.

Regulatory partners and outlook

The Browse project is split between several major players: BP holds 44.33%, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI Browse) 14.40%, and PetroChina 10.67%, while Woodside, as operator, has a 30.60% stake.
Final approval depends on the state and federal governments.
The federal government, under the Labor administration, sees gas as a crucial element in the energy transition to a low-carbon economy, despite the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
The final decision on the Browse project will have to balance economic imperatives with environmental concerns.
The forthcoming debates between the various stakeholders will be decisive for the future of this major energy project.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Ecoener commissions Guatemala’s largest solar plant with 74.7 MWp
NextDecade signs 20-year LNG deal with EQT for 1.5 MTPA from Train 5
Lhyfe begins green hydrogen deliveries in the Netherlands for the GROHW project
Teréga and GRDF deploy new biomethane backfeed station in Moncrabeau
Aspen Power acquires two community solar projects in New Jersey
Guyana to tighten contractual framework for oil production
Re-elected president Irfaan Ali announces stricter production-sharing agreements to increase national economic returns.
Coal India launches 5 GW of solar and wind projects across the country
Coal India issues tenders to develop 5 GW of renewable capacity, split between solar and wind, as part of its long-term energy strategy.
US utilities plan 147 GW in new high-load capacity by 2035
US utilities anticipate a rapid increase in high-intensity loads, targeting 147 GW of new capacity by 2035, with a strategic shift toward deregulated markets.
France: RTE launches public debate on €100 billion for the power grid
France opens a national consultation on RTE’s plan to invest €100 billion by 2040 to modernise the high-voltage electricity transmission grid.
California speeds up permits to secure federal tax credits
Governor Gavin Newsom orders state agencies to fast-track clean energy projects to capture Inflation Reduction Act credits before deadlines expire.
German industry warns of €5.4tn energy burden by 2049
Germany’s energy transition could cost up to €5.4tn ($6.3tn) by 2049, according to the main industry organisation, raising concerns over national competitiveness.
Power cuts plunge Iranian businesses into lasting operational crisis
Facing blackouts imposed by the authorities, small businesses in Iran record mounting losses amid drought, fuel shortages and pressure on the national power grid.
T Plus to maintain electricity production at 57.6 TWh in 2025
Russian group T Plus plans to stabilise its electricity output at 57.6 TWh in 2025, despite a decline recorded in the first half of the year, according to Chief Executive Officer Pavel Snikkars.
French energy regulator corrects ten public claims on costs and production
In France, the Commission de régulation de l’énergie issues a clarification on ten statements shared over the summer, correcting several figures regarding tariffs, production and investments in the electricity sector.
Dozens of scientists denounce climate report deemed biased by US Department of Energy
A group of 85 researchers challenges the scientific validity of the climate report released by the US Department of Energy, citing partial methods and the absence of independent peer review.
Five new projects obtain CB RES status and join the Commission list
Five energy infrastructure projects have been added to the list of cross-border renewable projects, making them eligible for financial support under the CEF Energy programme.
Tanzania bets on compressed natural gas to cut oil imports
The Tanzanian government launches a national consultation to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas, mobilising public and private financing to secure energy supply and lower fuel costs.
Kuwait launches tenders for 1.8GW energy and water project
The Kuwaiti government has invited three international consortia to submit bids for the first phase of the Al Khairan project, combining power generation and desalination.
NNPC Ltd keeps Port Harcourt refinery and focuses on rehabilitation
Nigeria’s state-owned oil company abandons plans to sell the Port Harcourt refinery and confirms a maintenance programme despite high operating costs.
Political crisis in France: energy roadmap threatened by new delay
The publication of the Multiannual Energy Programme decree, awaited for two years, is compromised by internal political tensions, jeopardising strategic investments in nuclear and renewables.
EIA delays key reports after 30% staff reduction
The US Energy Information Administration reschedules or cancels several publications, affecting the availability of critical data for oil, gas and renewables markets.
Brazil dismantles criminal fuel network worth BRL52bn
Brazilian authorities have launched a large-scale operation targeting a money laundering system linked to the fuel sector, involving investment funds, fintechs, and more than 1,000 service stations across the country.
Natural gas and solar receive broad support across the United States
A national study by the Davies Group reveals widespread American support for the simultaneous development of both renewable and fossil energy sources, with strong approval for natural gas and solar energy.
Seoul Imposes 25% Cut in Petrochemical Capacity to Stabilize the Sector
The South Korean government compels ten petrochemical groups to cut up to 3.7 million tons of naphtha cracking per year, tying financial and tax support to swift and documented restructuring measures.
Washington extends emergency orders to strengthen Puerto Rico’s power grid
The U.S. Department of Energy has extended until November the emergency measures aimed at ensuring the stability of Puerto Rico’s power grid against overload risks and recurring outages.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.