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    1. Field Development

    NOPSEMA approves initial plan for Scarborough gas project offshore Australia

    April 2, 2020
    The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority has advised Woodside Energy that it has accepted its Scarborough offshore project proposal.
    (Courtesy Woodside Energy)
    Woodside’s preferred concept for Scarborough is to tie in to a brownfield expansion of the Pluto LNG facility.
    Woodside’s preferred concept for Scarborough is to tie in to a brownfield expansion of the Pluto LNG facility.

    Offshore staff

    PERTH, Australia – The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) has advised Woodside Energy that it has accepted its Scarborough offshore project proposal (OPP).

    This follows an assessment of the potential environmental impacts over the life of the gas development project, located offshore Western Australia. 

    Woodside has achieved an important regulatory milestone for its Scarborough gas development.

    The OPP is the primary environmental assessment document for the project in Commonwealth waters and forms the basis for future activity-specific environment plans - these too must be assessed and approved by NOPSEMA.

    Future activities include drilling of the gas wells, installation of the floating production platform, and installation of the export pipeline. 

    Woodside CEO Peter Coleman said the proposed development was now progressing on a revised schedule due to the current uncertain investment environment.

    “Although we are now facing challenging market conditions due to the impact of COVID-19 and volatile oil prices, Scarborough is a world-class resource which we plan to develop at a globally competitive cost through our proposed Burrup Hub.

    “Woodside is continuing work to ensure we have all the necessary regulatory approvals and commercial agreements in place to ensure a final investment decision can be taken for Scarborough in 2021,” Coleman said.

    The Scarborough field contains estimated 2C dry gas volumes of 11.1 tcf. Woodside operates with a 73.5% interest, in partnership with BHP.

    04/02/2020