Woodside Energy and the North West Shelf Joint Venture (NWS JV) have agreed to extend their consultation period with the federal government as part of the environmental approval process for the North West Shelf Project Extension.

The ongoing discussions focus on the government’s proposed conditions, which address key issues such as cultural heritage management and air quality.

In a statement, Woodside acknowledged the significance of the matters raised by the proposed environmental conditions.

The company emphasised its commitment to working constructively with the government to ensure that the project’s operations align with community expectations and regulatory requirements, particularly in relation to protecting cultural heritage sites and maintaining air quality standards.

The North West Shelf Project is one of Australia’s most significant energy ventures, having supplied more than 6,000 petajoules of domestic gas over its four-decade history.

This volume of gas, if used solely for household electricity, would be sufficient to power a city the size of Perth for approximately 175 years.

The project’s output has been instrumental in supporting Western Australia’s homes and industries, underpinning the state’s energy security.

Beyond its energy contributions, the North West Shelf Project has been a major economic driver for the region.

Over the past 40 years, it has paid more than $40 billion in royalties and excise to governments, provided thousands of jobs, and created contracting opportunities for the Pilbara and broader Western Australian communities.

Additionally, the project has invested over $300 million in social and community infrastructure in the city of Karratha, supporting local development and community wellbeing.

The extension of the consultation period reflects the complexity and importance of the issues under consideration.

Both Woodside and the NWS JV reiterated their commitment to a thorough and transparent process, aiming to secure environmental approvals that balance economic benefits with responsible stewardship of cultural and environmental values.

Further updates are expected as the consultation process continues, with all parties focused on achieving an outcome that supports Western Australia’s energy future while upholding high environmental and social standards.