Australian Court backs plans for Scarborough offshore gas project

The plan enables the development of the Scarborough Field, expected to produce up to 8 MMtonnes of LNG annually, with first cargo targeted for late 2026.
Related To: 
Aug. 23, 2025
Courtesy NOPSEMA
Scarborough Project Map
The Scarborough gas resource, located in Commonwealth waters about 375 km offshore the Burrup Peninsula, forms part of the Greater Scarborough gas fields, comprising the Scarborough, North Scarborough, Thebe and Jupiter gas fields.
Courtesy Sojitz Corp.
Map of Pluto LNG facility and Scarborough Field

The Federal Court in Australia has validated HSE regulator NOPSEMA’s acceptance of Woodside Energy’s Scarborough Operations Environment Plan.

The plan covers the offshore facility and trunkline for the Scarborough gas-condensate field development in Western Australian waters, Woodside said in an Aug. 22 news release.

It was the final Commonwealth environmental approval that Woodside needed to connect, commission and operate the Scarborough floating production unit.

“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.” 

—Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill

Scarborough’s gas will be exported to the onshore Pluto LNG complex. Woodside expects the development to produce up to 8 MM mt/year of LNG and to supply up to 225 terajoules/d of domestic gas for the Western Australian market. 

The company aims to deliver the first LNG cargo in the second half of 2026.

Sign up for Offshore eNewsletters

Related

Importance of FSRUs for a dynamic LNG market
Offshore wind measurements: How much is enough?