The Australian Government has granted final environmental approval for the extension of Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf Project, allowing operations of the historic Karratha gas facility to continue until 2070.
The decision, announced by Environment Minister Murray Watt, follows a rigorous assessment and appeals process, and comesstrict conditions aimed at protecting the culturally significant Murujuga rock art on the Burrup Peninsula. Among the conditions are measures to reduce emissions by 2030, reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and implement enhanced monitoring to manage any adverse impacts.
Woodside welcomed the approval, saying it brings certainty for a project that has supplied reliable energy for more than 40 years. Its Executive Vice President and COO Australia, Liz Westcott, highlighted the project’s contributions: more than $40 billion in royalties and excise, thousands of jobs, and over $300 million invested in Pilbara community infrastructure and social programs.
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