Woodside has resumed its operations at the Scarborough gas project located off the western coast of Australia. This decision was made after Greenpeace activists occupied the site over the weekend, leading to a temporary halt in work.
Details of the Occupation and Resumption of Work
Woodside confirmed that operations resumed after the remaining protesters were removed from the 70,000-ton floating production unit, located approximately 375 kilometers from the Pilbara coast. Four Greenpeace activists accessed the facility on Saturday using the "Rainbow Warrior" boat and displayed a banner calling for an end to Woodside's gas developments near Scott Reef. Two of these activists spent the night in suspended tents and were eventually removed by police helicopter on Sunday.
Read more: Marine Energy Management Announces Date for Undersea Mining Auction
Consequences of the Protesters' Actions
Woodside described the unauthorized access to the facility as "dangerous, reckless, and illegal" and warned that this incident could lead to costly repercussions. The occupation of the site caused a halt in pre-commissioning activities. Greenpeace claims that Woodside plans to drill 57 wells around the reef, which could threaten marine habitats, including small blue whales and green sea turtles.
Following these actions, two men aged 48 and 52 were charged with interfering with offshore oil facilities or operations, a crime that carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Greenpeace continues its campaign and delivered a 47-meter-long petition, which has gathered nearly half a million signatures, to Woodside's headquarters in Perth.
Progress on the Scarborough Project
This disruption comes as Woodside moves towards the first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the $12.5 billion Scarborough project. In the latest quarterly update, Woodside announced that the project was 99 percent complete by the end of September, with gas entering the offshore production unit and export pipeline. The company emphasized that the Scarborough project remains within budget and is on track for the first LNG shipment in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Read more: Arrest of Two Greenpeace Activists at the Scarborough Offshore Gas Platform in Australia · Qatar Extends Suspension of LNG Exports to Asia and Europe for Another Month
