EPA set to subject Browse project to close scrutiny

Woodside Energy’s proposed Browse project to the North West Shelf Development is set to be put under the microscope by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The Browse resource is in State waters off the Kimberley coast, with the intention of the development being to transport gas to the existing North West Shelf Karratha gas plant through a 85km spur line and a 900km Browse trunkline.

EPA chairman Dr Tom Hatton said the EPA had determined to assess the proposal through a public environmental review because of the high environmental values of Scott Reef, where it is located.

“Given the environmental values potentially at risk, a detailed and rigorous assessment is required to determine the proposal’s environmental impacts and how these impacts could be managed,” he said.

A Woodside spokeswoman said the company would continue to work with the EPA and engage stakeholders throughout the process.

“We welcome the EPA’s determination of level of assessment for Woodside Energy’s Browse to the North West Shelf Development being a public environment review,” she said.

“We welcome interested parties’ continued interest in the development and we encourage their participation in the EPA’s public comment period that will occur later in 2019.”

The EPA will also assess DDG Operations’ Pluto North West Shelf Interconnector Pipeline, a 3.3 km natural gas pipeline, connecting the Pluto Interconnector Compressor Station to the Karratha Gas Plant.

The authority will request further information relating to cultural values that may be affected by the pipeline, including targeting consultation with key indigenous stakeholder groups.