Approvals
The Browse LNG Development needs to secure a number of Government approvals before construction or production can begin.
Upstream Development
On 14 November 2011 Woodside issued its Draft Upstream Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review and comment. The comment period is now closed.
The Draft Upstream EIS concerns the construction, operation and de-commissioning of all the offshore aspects of the Browse LNG Development located in Commonwealth waters, including offshore processing platforms and wells, and subsea pipelines and infrastructure.
The publication of the Draft Upstream EIS features 17 years of research that has shed new light on WA’s northern offshore ecosystems, including Scott Reef. Woodside has partnered with the WA Museum and the Australian Institute of Marine Science in a long term Scott Reef research program that extends the understanding of one of Western Australia’s most remote and diverse marine environments.
Studies in the Draft Upstream EIS define:
- Existing ecosystems in the upstream operating area
- Potential environmental impacts due to construction and operations
- Proposed management and mitigation strategies to limit potential impacts
The Commonwealth Department for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities will assess the Draft EIS, public submissions and supplement, before forwarding to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for approval.
Upstream Environmental Impact Statement
Upstream Environmental Impact Statement – Technical Appendices
Downstream Development
The Downstream component includes the onshore gas plant and marine infrastructure to three nautical miles off James Price Point. The Western Australian Government, as proponent, is leading a Strategic Assessment of the Browse LNG Precinct under an agreement with the Commonwealth Government. The Strategic Assessment incorporates both the site selection and site approval processes for the Browse LNG Precinct and covers social, Indigenous and environmental impacts.
The draft Strategic Assessment Report has now closed for public comment and is before regulators for assessment. The report can be viewed at the Western Australian Department of State Development’s website.
Woodside will seek final environmental approval for its Downstream development following the completion of the Strategic Assessment.
Field Development Plans
The Browse LNG Development requires approval for its Field Development Plan to develop the hydrocarbon reserves in the Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa fields. A Field Development Plan was submitted to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) in 2012.
Early Activities
To support the Front End Engineering and Design and environmental impact assessments for the Browse LNG Development, Woodside is carrying out a number of environmental and engineering studies on site at the proposed Browse LNG Precinct, and offshore. These studies are close to being finalised and will provide baseline data for our design team so we can properly plan the Development.
Woodside has environmental management plans and the appropriate approvals in place to ensure the activities are conducted to the highest possible environmental and heritage protection standards.