New information about one of Australia’s most controversial fossil fuel projects, Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension, shows that Woodside lobbied the federal government to water down conditions placed on its North West Shelf project in September.
The revelation comes as the WA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares to hand down its recommendation on Woodside’s controversial Browse plans—a key component for the North West Shelf.
It was revealed through FOIs that the WA EPA was to reject Browse in 2024, declaring the plans to have “unacceptable impacts” on Scott Reef, Australia’s largest oceanic reef system.
Related article: Woodside’s North West Shelf project extension approved
Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Gemma Plesman said, “How was Woodside able to self-appoint as the judge, jury and executor of the North West Shelf, one of Australia’s dirtiest and most polluting fossil fuel projects? The level of influence and interference is chilling and is a sign of what to expect from Woodside. Woodside has been playing dirty, attempting to write its own rules about one of the most consequential and controversial fossil fuel projects on Australia’s books.
“All eyes are now on the WA EPA, which is about to hand down its recommendation on the Browse project. Woodside has revised its Browse plans multiple times—most recently in 2025, but the reality is: Woodside still wants to drill more than 50 gas wells around Scott Reef, and their plans still threaten some of our ocean’s most vulnerable species like endangered pygmy blue whales and green turtles, and still risk oil spills, seismic blasting and reef sinking.
“Clearly, Woodside can’t be trusted. It has been desperately trying and failing for years to get Browse off the ground and will do anything it can to push the plans ahead, and the North West Shelf scandal is proof. The EPA must recommend rejecting this proposal, and the WA government must put an end to this shoddy project.”
In response, a Woodside spokesperson provided the following statement:
“The Australian Federal Government’s approval of the North West Shelf Extension followed a comprehensive and extended assessment carried out by both Commonwealth and Western Australian State regulators in accordance with statutory processes.
“There are three separate legal proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia challenging the Federal Government’s environmental approval of the North West Shelf Extension.
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“Woodside will vigorously defend its position in these proceedings but as these matters are before the Court we will not comment further.
“The Browse project is aligned with the Federal Government’s Future Gas Strategy that acknowledges the pivotal role of natural gas in Australia to 2050 and beyond, to firm renewables and support the economy as Australia makes the transition to net zero emissions.
“Australia has very stringent environmental laws and regulations designed to minimise environmental impact which Woodside has operated in responsibly and safely for over 40 years. Woodside continues to work with State and Commonwealth regulators to finalise the assessment of the proposed Browse to NWS Project, which was referred in 2018.”
