Woodside Energy has commenced works to expand a major LNG project that will increase Australia’s world-leading gas exports and help Asian nations to decarbonise.
The Pluto Train 2 project, which is being delivered near Karratha, Western Australia, is a key part of the company’s $16 billion Scarborough investment.
The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) welcomed the commencement of the new project, noting that it will not only provide a boost to the economy, but also help Asian nations to reduce their reliance on coal-powered energy.
APPEA Chief Executive, Samantha McCulloch, said, “New investments like this will turbocharge our economy and create thousands of jobs, while providing essential energy for Australians and helping to reduce emissions in our region.
“Pluto Train 2 is the latest major investment from the industry in LNG projects after around $300 billion was invested in export projects across Australia since 2010.
“Providing natural gas supply to the domestic Western Australian market is also critically important. Western Australia consumes more natural gas than any state in Australia, thanks to its role in powering our mines and minerals processing, other industries such as cement manufacturing, and providing electricity needed for our homes and hospitals.”
According to Woodside Energy, Scarborough gas processed through the project will be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of LNG delivered to North Asia customers.
Ms McCulloch said this is a major step in Australia’s push to reduce its global carbon footprint.
“These LNG exports will help our customers in Asia decarbonise by switching to gas from higher emission fuels like coal. The Australian Government has said this has the potential to lower emissions in importing countries by around 166 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually – equal to more than a third of Australia’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions,” Ms McCulloch said.
“Exports are also critical to the Australian economy and supporting jobs and they are set to deliver more record earnings this financial year – over $80 billion.
“We saw the value of these exports to our communities recently when state budgets revealed significant petroleum revenue collections, helping governments fund public services and infrastructure like hospitals, roads and schools.”
