Scarborough Gets West Oz State Approval

Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said on January 6 it had recommended approval for construction of a 32.7-km section of pipeline linking Woodside Petroleum’s Scarborough gas project with the Pluto LNG export plant.

The section needed local state approval as it runs through state waters. The rest of the Scarborough project is in commonwealth waters and therefore its environmental impact will be assessed by the federal government.

The EPA noted its decision was open for a two-week public appeal period that runs until January 20.

Woodside says it is on track to take a final investment decision at Scarborough in the first half of 2020, with first gas targeted in 2024. The development’s scope includes seven wells tied back to a semi-submersible floating production unit, and 435 km of pipeline to bring the gas to the Pluto facility.