Scarborough Energy Project

The Scarborough reservoir contains less than 0.1% carbon dioxide and combined with processing design efficiencies at the floating production unit (offshore) and Pluto Train 2 (onshore), will deliver one of the lowest carbon intensity projects for LNG delivered into Asian markets.  

Reference: Wood Mackenzie report ‘Woodside green lights Scarborough LNG’; Wood Mackenzie ‘Emissions Benchmarking’. Refer page 2, "The development is both low carbon and globally cost competitive." 

 Tax contribution 

Woodside is among the country’s largest taxpayers. In the first half of 2023, Woodside paid $3.7 billion in Australian taxes and royalties.  

It is estimated that the Scarborough Energy Project will deliver over $19 billion in direct taxation payments to the Australian and Western Australian governments. This contribution is equivalent to building a new Fiona Stanley Hospital every three years (until 2063). 

Furthermore, an estimated $14 billion of indirect taxation payments is expected to be paid.  

This strong contribution helps to demonstrate the importance of the Scarborough Energy Project in providing benefits to the Australian economy for decades to come. 

Reference: ACIL Allen 2019, Scarborough Development Summary  

Reference: Technical Paper, Fiona Stanley Hospital 

Reference: Woodside tax information 

Contributions to Community 

The Scarborough Energy Project is directly and indirectly contributing millions of dollars in benefits to WA and regional communities where we live and work. 

Some of these contributions include: 

• $30 million to the Construction Training Fund which supports thousands of apprentices; 

• Over $300 million operational expenditure is expected in WA each and every year;  

• Over $90 million already committed with businesses in Karratha; 

• Over $19 billion in direct Australian taxes; 

• Awarded more than $3.6 billion in contracts to WA businesses; and 

• Engaging more than 60 Karratha businesses. 

Reference: ACILAllen 2019, Scarborough Development Summary   

Securing reliable energy for WA and the world 

The Scarborough Energy Project will deliver more gas to the WA market, at a time when WA is predicted to face supply shortages. 

According to 2022 WA Gas Statement of Opportunities report by Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) it is forecast there will be insufficient gas supply to meet WA demand. The start-up of Scarborough will help to address the anticipated forecast supply gap in the WA domestic gas market.  
The Project is targeting first LNG cargo in 2026. Once operational, it will produce around 8 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG, 5 Mtpa through Pluto Train 2, which is currently under construction and 3 Mtpa through Pluto Train 1 following modifications. The Project will have up to 225 terajoules (TJ) available per day for domestic use. 130 TJs per day have already been contracted to the Perdaman fertiliser project, based in the Pilbara.  

Helping our farmers to continue to grow 

The Scarborough Energy Project will also provide the gas needed to produce the fertiliser (urea) that our farmers use to grow food, with a 20 year gas supply agreement in place with Perdaman.  

Perdaman are currently building a 2.3 million tonne per annum urea plant near the Pluto LNG onshore facility and Woodside has signed a 130 TJ/day of gas over a term of 20 years to supply the plant. Additionally, Perdaman have an offtake agreement with Incitec Pivot Limited, an Australian multinational corporation that manufactures fertiliser, explosives chemicals, and mining service. 

 Reference: AEMO WA Gas Statement of Opportunities 

Reference: DISER, Australian Energy Statistics Energy Update 2021 

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