Woodside and the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) have agreed to dismiss the ACF’s
challenge to a primary environmental approval for Woodside’s Scarborough Energy Project.
The Scarborough Energy Project has all primary environmental approvals in place and offshore work
is progressing well. The Federal Court proceedings sought an injunction to stop offshore activities for
the Scarborough Energy Project. The parties have agreed to seek orders from the Court to dismiss
the proceedings.
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill welcomed the agreement to dismiss the case.
“Litigation against energy projects like Scarborough is an ineffective way to pursue solutions to global
climate and energy challenges. Such approaches create needless uncertainty for businesses,
communities and the people who depend on the energy these projects produce.
“The Scarborough reservoir contains less than 0.1% carbon dioxide and combined with processing
design efficiencies will be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of LNG delivered into north
Asian markets.
“The Scarborough Energy Project will make an important contribution to energy security in Western
Australia while providing energy to Asian economies as they decarbonise.
“The project is supported by and aligns with the energy policies of both the Australian and Western
Australian Governments.”
The Scarborough Energy Project has been the subject of rigorous environmental assessments by
regulators including the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management
Authority; the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water;
the Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety; the Western
Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the Western Australian
Environmental Protection Authority.
The ACF, represented by the Environmental Defenders Office, commenced the Federal Court of
Australia proceedings in relation to the offshore environmental assessment of the Scarborough
Energy Project in June 2022.
