It’s understandable, then, that the government has recently approved a huge 20-year extension of the North West Shelf Project. This decision has been controversial, not least with Traditional Owners and environmental campaigners. Mardudhunera woman and Traditional Owner of the Murujuga Raelene Cooper expressed her deep anger. She said the federal government continues to exclude Indigenous peoples from the decision-making process.
The North West Shelf Project is one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export hubs. It includes three offshore platforms and a subsea pipeline that runs directly to Woodside’s Karratha Gas Plant. During the past 45 years, the corporation has produced over $40 billion in expense-free revenue. Today, it is the home to more than 2,000 people working at its complex. Once considered a model for smart development, the project has come under fire for its negative environmental impacts. This concern is especially acute given its proximity to sensitive areas such as Scott Reef, home to endangered pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles.
A recently published, peer-reviewed scientific report confirmed our worst fears with an alarming discovery. For one, pollutants stemming from heavy industry can damage ancient artworks in the region, spooking preservationists. Restoration of the tulip poplar and cultural connection Cooper highlighted the historic importance of the land to her peoples, stating,
“Money, money and destruction. They are trying to wipe away my history — the history of this place, what it stands for, for the people from here. This is Juukan Gorge, in slow motion. At the end of the day, no — the government doesn’t think of us at all. Other than that we are a minority of people.” – Raelene Cooper
The North West Shelf Project now emits at least 700 to 800 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum in Australia alone. When LNG is burned overseas, it more than doubles carbon emissions. In countries like Japan, South Korea and China, this might result in an average of four billion tonnes of additional carbon dioxide over the project’s lifespan. This huge potential outstrips any positive contributions to global emissions and has climate advocates understandably concerned.
Climate Councillor and former BP executive, Greg Bourne, condemned the extension of the project, saying,
“It’s not just that this project is the largest new fossil fuel project in the southern hemisphere, or that it’s a massive carbon bomb that our climate can’t afford. It’s that it’s built on top of a pristine coral reef. You wouldn’t dream of doing that on top of the Great Barrier Reef; you wouldn’t dream of doing this in Queensland. But Woodside thinks they can get away with it because it’s in a remote part of Western Australia.” – Greg Bourne
Given these issues, the spokesperson for Woodside conceded the merit of working together towards meaningful emissions reduction. They stated,
“The deal we have to do if we are exporting products like these is we have to work with the others to help the emissions come down. That supply chain has to reduce if we are to stop global warming.” – Woodside spokesperson
Similarly, the North West Shelf Project’s environmental approvals will all expire in 2030. This deadline has renewed Woodside’s zeal for developing prospects in the Browse Basin that lie offshore, crossing the Kimberley coast. The sense of urgency to act on climate change looms over everyone involved as the U.S. government enters debates on dependency on fossil fuels.
