Reece Whitby Resolves Appeals for North West Shelf Life Extension at Karratha

The Karratha Gas Plant, part of the North West Shelf Project, has moved closer to securing environmental approval for a life extension after Environment Minister Reece Whitby resolved an appeal process that lasted nearly 900 days. While the Minister has broadly accepted recommendations from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), final approval is still pending. The plant, operated by Woodside Energy, seeks to extend operations until 2070, critical for advancing its $30 billion Browse gas field project.

The proposal has faced significant delays since 2018 due to the pandemic, volatile gas prices, and regulatory hurdles. Critics, including WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt, have labeled the project a “climate bomb,” citing its substantial contribution to Australia’s carbon emissions, while Woodside highlights the importance of the plant for reliable energy supply locally and globally.

As one of Australia’s first LNG export facilities, the Karratha plant plays a vital role in the nation’s energy landscape, with stakeholders including Chevron, Shell, and BP. The project now hinges on the final stages of approval to secure its future operations and address concerns over emissions and resource sustainability.

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