Endangered turtles and ‘exceptional’ coral at risk from Woodside’s gas drilling in WA, watchdog says
Summary
Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority staff warned that Woodside Energy’s proposed Browse gas project could cause serious or irreversible harm to Scott Reef, including risks to endangered turtles, whales and coral. The state and federal assessments are ongoing, and environment ministers will make the final approval decisions.Key Facts
- A 2023 draft letter prepared for the Western Australian EPA board criticized Woodside’s plans to protect marine life and manage oil-spill risks.
- The EPA told Woodside in February 2024 that its preliminary view was to reject the project.
- Browse is about 300 kilometres off the Kimberley coast, and Scott Reef supports more than 1,500 species.
- Woodside plans to drill more than 50 wells and send gas through a 1,000-kilometre pipeline to the North West Shelf processing plant.
- Woodside added explosive-driven shear rams to its plans, saying they could help seal a leaking well within seconds; a company spokesperson said a backup capping stack could stop oil flow within 16 days.
- EPA staff warned that a leak lasting 13 days could cause irreversible consequences for Scott Reef.
- The draft letter said seabed subsidence could threaten Sandy Islet, where about 1,000 endangered green turtles breed each year, and described a plan to add sand to the islet as high risk.
- Woodside needs approval from state and federal environmental authorities; environment ministers hold the final decision-making power.
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