Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

LNG production involves the removal of impurities from raw gas and condensing the gas into a liquid by cooling it to about -160° C. In a liquid state, the gas occupies only about 1/600th of its original volume, making it easier to transport to overseas customers.

This production process is energy intensive and is the greatest contributor to Woodside’s greenhouse gas emissions profile. We acknowledge that as our business grows, our greenhouse gas emissions profile will grow and efforts will continue, both in our existing facilities and through the design of new ones, to ensure the growth in emissions is minimised.

Emissions intensity is a measure of tonnes of CO2 equivalent produced compared to tonnes of LNG produced. Over time we have made positive progress in reducing our emissions intensity.

The reduction in our emissions intensity was first achieved through our voluntary participation in the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Challenge program, with subsequent improvements following the start of production at the Karratha Gas Plant of LNG Train 4 in 2004 and LNG Train 5 in 2008.

Future trends in emissions intensity will vary depending on the composition of the gas resource and other factors including water depth and distance from production facilities.

Technological improvements do not provide the only means to reduce or offset greenhouse emissions.

Woodside is investing A$100 million in a program with CO2 Australia to offset carbon emissions from the Pluto reservoir. This investment creates Australia’s biggest commercial emissions offset program based on dedicated forest carbon sink planting. The plantings will take place over a five year period, which commenced in 2008.

Woodside is an active participant in research and development programs for emissions reduction technologies, in particular carbon capture and storage technology. We are a member of the Australian Government’s Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute