Woodside has welcomed a Federal Court decision confirming the validity of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority’s (NOPSEMA) acceptance of the Scarborough Offshore Facility and Trunkline (Operations) Environment Plan (Scarborough Operations EP).
The judgment marks the final Commonwealth environmental approval required for the company to connect, commission and operate the Scarborough floating production unit, cementing the regulatory foundations of one of Australia’s largest energy developments under construction.
Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said the court’s decision strengthens confidence in the project’s delivery and highlights its contribution to economic and energy security.
“This outcome reinforces confidence in progressing the Scarborough Energy Project, which is generating thousands of jobs during the construction phase and creating significant supply chain opportunities,” O’Neill said.
“The project is expected to contribute more than A$50 billion in direct and indirect taxes to Australia’s economy.”
“Scarborough is expected to be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of LNG delivered into north Asian markets, providing reliable energy to the region while also supporting local energy security through critical domestic gas supply.”
The Scarborough Energy Project is one of the most significant oil and gas developments currently underway in Australia.
The project scope includes the development of the Scarborough gas field, the construction of Pluto Train 2, additional modifications to the existing Pluto Train 1, and the establishment of an Integrated Remote Operations Centre.
Once operational, the project is expected to produce up to 8 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas each year, alongside as much as 225 terajoules per day of domestic gas for Western Australia.
Woodside has emphasised the dual focus on meeting export commitments to key Asian markets while bolstering supplies for local industry and households.
As of 30 June 2025, the development was 86 per cent complete, excluding modifications to Pluto Train 1.
The company is targeting its first LNG cargo from Scarborough in the second half of 2026, marking a major milestone for Australia’s energy export sector.
Industry analysts have described the court’s confirmation of environmental approval as a critical step toward ensuring project certainty.
