Woodside restarts Scarborough LNG after Greenpeace occupation
Australian energy giant resumes $12.5bn project following activist removal from 70,000-tonne floating unit
Australian energy company Woodside has restarted work at its Scarborough gas project off the coast of Western Australia following a protest by Greenpeace activists that temporarily halted operations.
Woodside confirmed that commissioning activities resumed on Sunday after authorities removed the remaining protesters from the 70,000-tonne floating production unit. The facility is situated approximately 375 kilometres northwest of the Pilbara region. Four activists boarded the platform on Saturday using Greenpeace’s vessel Rainbow Warrior, displaying a banner opposing gas developments near Scott Reef. Two protesters remained overnight in suspended tents before being airlifted by police helicopter the following day.
Company and authorities respond to protest: Woodside
Woodside condemned the occupation as “dangerous, reckless and illegal,” stating that the incident triggered a costly emergency response. The disruption forced a pause in pre-commissioning work at the site.
Natural Gas
Two men, aged 48 and 52, were charged with interfering with offshore petroleum installations, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Australian authorities, including the Border Force, Western Australia Police, and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, issued a joint statement confirming the charges.
Project status and environmental concerns
The Scarborough development, valued at $12.5 billion, is nearing completion, with Woodside reporting 99% progress in its latest quarterly update. The project includes the construction of Pluto Train 2, modifications to Pluto Train 1, and an Integrated Remote Operations Centre in Perth. Gas has already been introduced into the offshore production unit and export pipeline, with the company maintaining that the project remains on schedule for its first LNG shipment in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Greenpeace has raised concerns over the project’s environmental impact, claiming Woodside plans to drill up to 57 wells near Scott Reef. The group argues that the development threatens marine life, including endangered pygmy blue whales and nesting green sea turtles. Following the protest, Greenpeace delivered a 47-metre petition with nearly half a million signatures to Woodside’s Perth headquarters, reinforcing its opposition to the project.
Once operational, the Scarborough facility is expected to produce 8 million tonnes of LNG annually, alongside supplying 6 million cubic metres of natural gas to the domestic market. The initial phase includes eight wells, with plans for an additional 13 over the project’s lifespan.
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