Woodside is exporting gas that should have been kept here in WA

DomGas Alliance analysis shows Woodside Energy has earned more than $5 billion exporting gas from its Pluto LNG facility that should have been supplied to Western Australians - costing the WA economy an estimated $12 billion.

WA’s domestic gas policy requires 15% of production to be reserved for the local market. Since 2017, Pluto has delivered just 3.4%.

That means gas meant for WA was sold overseas instead, where it attracts higher prices. Using international LNG prices as a guide, this gas generated more than $5 billion in export revenue. Had it been sold locally, Woodside would have earned far less - but it would have powered industry, jobs and investment across the State.

Independent modelling shows domestic gas creates around eight times more economic value than exports. On that basis, Woodside’s undersupply of the local market has denied WA more than $12 billion in economic activity.

In real terms, 285,000 terajoules of gas that should have supported the WA economy were shipped offshore - enough to power the State for most of a year.

At a time of global disruption and rising energy prices, this matters. Reliable and affordable gas underpins manufacturing, mining, construction and fertiliser production in Western Australia. Without it, investment stalls, jobs are lost, and the State becomes more exposed to global shocks.

The domestic gas reservation policy is clear, but Woodside's Pluto project is failing to deliver. 

The State Government must ensure these commitments are enforced so Western Australians receive the gas they were promised.

WA gas should work for WA.