Woodside's Burrup Hub Threat

(Turtle petroglyph at Woodside's North West Shelf Project, Credit: Save Our Songlines)

Reject the North West Shelf Extension

Woodside is currently seeking an extension for its North West Shelf (NWS) Project (also known as the Karratha gas plant), one of the oldest and most polluting gas plants in Australia.

If this extension receives government approval, it paves the way for WA to be processing and exporting gas until 2070! This is completely at odds with the government target for net-zero emissions by 2050.

Approval of the NWS would risk further major damage to UNESCO World Heritage-nominated rock art on Murujuga (Burrup peninsula) from acid gas pollution.

The NWS plant has been operating since the 1980s and has been found to already have damaged the rock art at Murujuga – a site of high cultural significance with ancient rock carvings. It is home to the oldest depiction of the human face and images of extinct animals like the Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine) and megafauna such as the big-tailed Kangaroo.

Research also shows that Woodside’s Burrup Hub will reduce domestic gas supply by increasing export capacity and pressure on governments to open up more gas fields to supply the facility, illustrated by the WA government’s recent approval of onshore domestic gas exports.

The NWS project is a threat to the pristine Kimberley region as it could open the region to fracking and unlock the prospect of Scott Reef being destroyed for Woodside’s Browse gas proposal.

Recently, the WA government approved the North West Shelf extension and the decision was met with a huge WA response with protests held outside of Woodside, Dumas House (home of WA Government departments), MP Josh Wilson’s office and MP Patrick Gorman’s office.

Take 2-mins to email your Federal MPs now!

Save Scott Reef

Scott Reef is under threat from fossil fuel giant Woodside, and its monstrous Burrup Hub mega-gas project. Under the pristine reef lies the browse gas field. Woodside wants to drill for gas at the reef, and pump the gas in a pipeline 900km long, through two marine parks to the North West Shelf processing plant. Woodside is planning to surround Scott Reef with up to 50 gas wells - the closest being just 2km from the reef's edge.

Scott Reef is one of the most ecologically significant marine environments in the world, but this sanctuary for many species – including vulnerable green sea turtles and endangered pygmy blue whales – that are now at risk.

In fact, the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has already found the Browse project poses unacceptable risks to endangered whales, turtles and oil spills at Scott Reef.

We must have no new fossil fuel projects to ensure the future of the reef and any chance of a liveable climate, yet Woodside continues to put profit over people and the planet.

Movement partners from WA and across the country are supporting West Aussies on the ground, fighting for the safety of Scott Reef and our climate through the Save Scott Reef Alliance. It is time for the community to come together and stand up to one of WA's biggest polluters to save Scott Reef for good!

Take action here.

Browse Carbon Pollution Dumping Project

Scott Reef is also under threat from Woodside’s proposed Browse Carbon Pollution Dumping Project (also known as carbon capture and storage, CCS). If approved, this project would involve 7 more wells (in addition to the proposed 50 wells) being drilled near Scott Reef for CO2 injection.

We are calling for an immediate rejection based on unacceptable environmental impacts.

Threats to Listed Species: This project directly threatens over 20 listed threatened species and over 30 migratory species, including:

The dusky sea snake, recently listed as endangered, is extremely sensitive to changes in its habitat and faces serious threats from industrial activities at Scott Reef. The carbon pollution dumping will require ongoing seismic blasting. The dusky sea snakes have lungs that extend through a third of their body, allowing them to store oxygen for long dives. The air-filled cavity in their lung can be damaged by intense underwater shockwaves from seismic blasting, potentially resulting in severe trauma or death from their lungs bursting.

The dusky sea snake is just one example of the threat to listed species from the Browse project and the associated carbon dumping project. Other examples include endangered Pygmy Blue Whales disrupted by seismic blasting and vessel traffic, which harms communication and feeding; and the endangered Green Sea Turtle at risk from habitat disturbance, pollution, and potential CO2 leakage.

Carbon dumping poses many risks including:

Seismic Blasting Risks: Seismic blasting creates intense underwater shockwaves that can harm and kill marine life, disrupt food webs (krill, vital for whales), and degrade the acoustic environment essential for species.

Risk of CO2 Leakage: There are significant risks of CO2 leakage in perpetuity! Leaks can result from the storage formation, potentially acidifying marine waters and harming coral reefs.

Cumulative Emissions: The project is linked to the larger Browse gas project, which will emit over 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2. Even if the CCS project succeeds, over 96% of emissions will still be released, contributing massively to climate change.

Unproven Technology: CCS technology is an unproven technology and has a poor track record, with projects failing to meet storage targets.

Precautionary Principle: Given the high risks and uncertainties, applying the precautionary principle is critical. This principle mandates that when an action poses serious or irreversible threats to the environment, a lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to proceed without thorough assessment and mitigation. This project risks irreversible harm to a globally unique marine ecosystem, contravening Australia’s obligations to conserve biodiversity and reduce emissions.