Australian growth projects air quality

About air quality on the Burrup Peninsula

Air quality can be impacted by a wide variety of emissions. The main emissions relating to our Australian growth projects are Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂), Particulate Matter (PM) and Ozone (O₃). 

NOx is the primary contributor to air quality on the Burrup Peninsula from our facilities. 

The Burrup Peninsula (Murujuga) is unique worldwide for its collection of petroglyphs - engravings that have been hammered, rubbed or scratched into the rocks. 

The presence of industry on the Burrup Peninsula has generated concerns from some stakeholders that these emissions may lead to an accelerated weathering or deterioriation of rock art.

Woodside has been undertaking or contributing to air monitoring studies of the Burrup Peninsula since 2008. 

Our approach to monitoring and air emissions management has been informed by third-party studies, including the work undertaken by the Burrup Rock Art Monitoring Management Committee (BRAMMC). We fully support the new Murujuga Rock Art Strategy and associated work programs.

Current NOx emissions across Woodside-operated onshore facilities (the KGP and Pluto LNG - Train 1) are approximately 9,000 tonnes per year. Ongoing monitoring demonstrates long-term trends of NO₂ and O₃ in the atmosphere below the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) Ambient Air Quality health criteria.

In 2021, the Woodside Atmospheric Deposition Monitoring Program (WADMP) commenced operations with four monitoring stations on Murujuga and one control location. The stations were continually operated in 2022 and monitor for parameters that may potentially accelerate weathering of rock art, including acid depositions. Monitoring is ongoing for the 2023 period.

This monitoring supplements an extensive dataset collection at the time of Pluto LNG construction and commission between 2008-2013. 

Research to date on the impacts of emissions on rock art has not been conclusive, and there are currently no set air quality thresholds for the protection of rock art. This monitoring data set will contribute to the ongoing knowledge regarding possible relationship between industrial emissions and cultural heritage. 

Outcomes of this air monitoring program is directly supporting the Murujuga Rock Art Strategy and the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program, run by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. 

A comprehensive executive summary of the 2022 monitoring period is available - 2022 WADMP Report. 

Australian growth projects

We conducted additional cumulative air dispersion modelling for the Australian growth projects as part of the environmental approvals and associated impact assessments.

This modelling considered the impact of potential future industrial development by other organisations alongside our Australian growth projects, estimating that by the end of 2030, overall NOx emissions on the Burrup Peninsula could be reduced by 10-20% from current levels.

Key results from the air quality modelling were: ​

• No predicted exceedances of ambient air quality standards for NO₂, O₃, and SO₂. All these pollutants were well below the respective NEPM Ambient Air Quality criteria set for the protection of human health.​
• No predicted exceedances of European Union (2008) air quality standards for NOx and SO₂ for the protection of vegetation.​
• Implementation of NOx reduction opportunities are expected to materially reduce NO₂ maximum concentrations, as well an overall reduction in annual nitrogen deposition across the Burrup Peninsula.

Managing air quality

With respect to our own projects, we will:

• Continue to monitor ambient concentrations of relevant emissions on and around the Burrup Peninsula, as described in the NWS Project Extension Air Quality Management Plan (ERD Appendix A), and Pluto Air Quality Management Plan.
• Maintain existing KGP emission control equipment and adopt additional practicable and efficient new technologies to reduce air emissions from the proposed extension, as described in the NWS Project Extension Air Quality Management Plan.
• Reduce NOx emissions at the Karratha Gas Plant (KGP) by 40% from the current emissions baseline by 31 December 2030, and substantially reduce VOCs by 31 December 2030.
• Operate Pluto LNG and are developing the approved expansion (Train 2) in line with MS757 Best Practice Air Emissions and Pluto Air Quality Management Plan, including installing technologies such as low-NOx turbine equipment.