Woodside’s controversial Scarborough Energy Project has seen the arrival of the floating production unit (FPU) at the Scarborough field, 375km off the coast of Karratha, Western Australia.
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The approximately 70,000-tonne FPU completed the journey from China to Australia after being towed more than 4,000 nautical miles. The arrival of the FPU, which will process gas at the Scarborough field, marks a significant step forward for the Scarborough Energy Project, which is now more than 91% complete.
Woodside acting CEO Liz Westcott said, “At the start of 2025, the FPU hull and topsides were being constructed in separate yards. Since then, they have been integrated into a single unit and delivered into Australian waters, with work on securing the mooring lines underway.
“Our focus now shifts to the hook-up and commissioning phase in preparation for production, and ultimately, first LNG cargo which is on track for the second half of this year.”
The Scarborough gas project is one of the most controversial fossil fuel projects to be developed in Australia. Environmental groups have estimated the Scarborough project will result in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) equivalent to 878Mt of CO2—twice Australia’s annual GHG emissions from all sources in 2024.
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According to the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), the gas project will be built atop of and do immense damage to important marine environment off the coast of Western Australia, and a place of immense cultural significance to First Nations People.
