The Conservation Council of WA director Jess Beckerling criticized carbon storage as “fantasy technology” that does not work, citing Chevron’s failed attempt at WA’s Barrow Island. Woodside is proposing to use this technology for the first time at the pristine Scott Reef, despite it being six years behind the rest of the Browse project in terms of environmental approval. Woodside aims to gain federal approval for carbon storage as it does not require approval from the WA regulator. The WA Environmental Protection Authority plans to release its final report on Browse in 2025.
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill identified three key problems that need to be solved before proceeding with the Browse project: storing the reservoir CO₂, obtaining environmental approvals, and reaching a deal to process the gas for export. Woodside plans to pipe Browse gas 1000 kilometers to the North West Shelf plant near Karratha, however, negotiations with joint ventures have not resulted in a deal despite signing preliminary agreements in 2018. The joint ventures, which include BP, Japan Australia LNG, and PetroChina, are still in negotiations regarding commercial terms.
Woodside needs state and federal environmental approvals to extend the life of the North West Shelf plant to 2070 in order to process Browse gas. Despite concerns raised by the WA Environmental Protection Authority about nitrous oxide emissions from the plant potentially causing serious or irreversible damage to the adjacent World Heritage-nominated Murujuga rock art, the extension was backed in 2022. The WA Appeals Convenor is expected to report soon on appeals lodged against the EPA’s decision.
Despite offering little information on Browse in investor presentations, Woodside sees it as a solution to a potential gas shortage in Western Australia. O’Neill emphasized Browse as the main opportunity to meet the state’s domestic gas needs and underpin the WA economy. Woodside operates the Browse joint venture and holds a 31% stake, with BP being the largest investor at 44%. Negotiations with Chevron and Shell, who have equity in the North West Shelf plant, are ongoing as they seek terms advantageous to the gas plant owners rather than the gas fields.
In May, Woodside informed the department that it would refer carbon storage for assessment in mid-2024, which puts it behind schedule in the environmental approval process for Browse. Carbon storage does not require approval from the WA regulator as it is located outside state waters, and Woodside is working on an alternate pathway to gain federal approval. Despite delays and challenges, Woodside remains committed to advancing the Browse project and solving key engineering and environmental issues before proceeding with expensive engineering work.
