Australia grants key approval for North West Shelf extension

The Karratha Gas Plant (KGP), which serves the North West Shelf.

Woodside Energy and its North West Shelf (NWS) Joint Venture partners have welcomed the Australian Federal Government’s proposed decision to grant environmental approval for the extension of the landmark North West Shelf Project.

The proposed approval, subject to final conditions, would allow the project to continue operating following extensive environmental assessments and appeals processes. The development is a major milestone for Australia’s longest-running liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility.

“This proposed approval will secure the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf and the thousands of direct and indirect jobs that it supports,” said Liz Westcott, Woodside Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Australia.

“This nationally significant infrastructure has supplied reliable and affordable energy to Western Australia for 40 years and international customers for 35 years and will be able to continue its contribution to energy security,” Westcott added.

Since commencing operations in 1984, the North West Shelf Project has delivered over A$40 billion in royalties and taxes and has supported economic development across the Pilbara region.

The proposed federal conditions focus on issues such as cultural heritage and air quality. Woodside said it is reviewing the conditions to better understand their application and implications.

“We remain committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape and support its World Heritage nomination,” Westcott said. “We believe long-term co-existence between cultural heritage and industry is possible when guided by credible science, Traditional Custodian leadership, and genuine collaboration.”

The Federal Government’s move follows a separate approval granted by the Western Australian State Government in December 2024. That decision included requirements for substantial reductions in air emissions and detailed measures to manage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time.

As part of those conditions, Woodside and the NWS Joint Venture are conducting consultation with Traditional Owners and are participating in the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program to ensure compliance with air quality standards.

To date, the North West Shelf has supplied more than 6000 petajoules of domestic gas—enough, the company says, to power a city the size of Perth for about 175 years if used exclusively for household electricity. In addition to delivering energy, the project has invested more than A$300 million in social and community infrastructure in the city of Karratha.

The North West Shelf Venture remains a cornerstone of Australia’s LNG sector and a critical contributor to local and national energy security, jobs, and regional development.