Environment and Biodiversity

Ningaloo Outlook¹

The Ningaloo Outlook research partnership between CSIRO and Woodside is improving our understanding of Ningaloo’s reef ecosystems and their iconic inhabitants. Ningaloo Outlook also supports a PhD scholarship program and involves active participation by Woodside staff and the community of Exmouth, including students and teachers from the local school. Find out more here.

Image: Diver from Ningaloo Outook. Credit: CSIRO.

Pygmy blue whales, Western Australia¹

Woodside has been supporting pygmy blue whale research since the early 2000s through partnerships with AIMS, the Australian Antarctic Division and the CWR. AIMS is Australia’s tropical marine research agency and renowned for its global science excellence. Its mission is to provide the research and knowledge of Australia’s tropical marine estate required to support growth in its sustainable use, effective environmental management and protection of its unique ecosystems. The CWR (Western Australia) Inc. is a non-profit research institute established to conduct scientific research into marine mammals (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Find out more here.

_{Image: The blow of a pygmy blue whale in the Perth Canyon off the coast of Rottnest Island. Credit: Micheline Jenner/CWR.}

Resident whale sharks at Pluto

Research has shown that whale sharks can visit Woodside's offshore platforms for extended periods, presumably to forage for food. For example, at the Pluto platform one whale shark remained resident over 24 days being detected 4,894 times. A whale shark at North Rankin Complex was detected 15 times over a 90-day period. Find out more here.

Terrebonne biodiversity and resiliency projects¹

Woodside, in partnership with Resource Environmental Solutions, commenced two restoration projects in 2019, including the Pointe-Aux-Chenes project and the Bayou Terrebonne project in southern Louisiana, which are expected to cumulatively restore approximately 50 to 58 hectares (125-143 acres) of wetlands. Extensive bald cypress tree plantings were undertaken at the Pointe- Aux-Chenes project and within marsh terraces created as part of the Bayou Terrebonne project. These are proven ecological restoration approaches that improve the quality of lands and waters that support human, animal and marine populations, especially along Louisiana’s fragile, eroding coastline. Find out more here.

Turtle Village Trust, Trinidad and Tobago¹

_{Image: Leatherback turtles emerging for egg laying on Grande Riviere. Credit: Kathryn Audroing, Turtle Village Trust.} 

King Reef¹

King Reef became Australia’s first integrated artificial reef in 2018, repurposing steel structures donated from Woodside’s Griffin Field augmented with purpose built concrete reef modules. The reef was a result of a five year community vision, which was expanded due to the formation of a consortium including the Western Australian State Government, academia, engineers, Woodside and Recfishwest. Find out more here.

_{Image: King reef marine life. Credit: Violeta J.Brosig from Blue Media Exmouth.} 

Birdlife Australia

Our three-year funding agreement between Woodside and BirdLife Australia supports annual fieldwork to monitor and tag migratory shorebirds in the Exmouth Gulf, a Key Biodiversity Area and recognised habitat for shorebird populations that are part of the East Asian Australasian Flyway. Threatened migratory shorebird species spend the Australian summer feeding and resting on coastal and wetland habitats including areas in proximity to our activities in Western Australia. Find out more here.

The Ningaloo Turtle Program

The Ningaloo Turtle Program was established by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and partners in 2002 and is a flagship community volunteer turtle-monitoring program. It is the longest running volunteer-based marine turtle-monitoring program in the southern hemisphere. Woodside has supported the program since 2002 and has extended support until 2024. Find out more here. 

Water management in Trinidad and Tobago

Produced water from settling of the oil storage tanks at the terminal facility cannot be discharged to Guayaguayare Bay unless it meets the targets set in the Water Pollution Rules. There has been an accumulation of approximately 86,000 bbls of produced water in the oil storage tanks over the years. In an effort to meet the discharge criteria, a pilot ozone skid was installed at the terminal in July 2020 to trial the technology. Ozone aeration reduces the COD concentration by rapidly replacing oxygen in the produced water, which would be used up by organic and inorganic compounds present in the solution. Find out more here.

Developing waste management capability in Senegal

Produced water from settling of the oil storage tanks at the terminal facility cannot be discharged to Guayaguayare Bay unless it meets the targets set in the Water Pollution Rules. There has been an accumulation of approximately 86,000 bbls of produced water in the oil storage tanks over the years. In an effort to meet the discharge criteria, a pilot ozone skid was installed at the terminal in July 2020 to trial the technology. Ozone aeration reduces the COD concentration by rapidly replacing oxygen in the produced water, which would be used up by organic and inorganic compounds present in the solution. Find out more here.

_{Image: Commencement of construction of a waste treatment facility in Dakar, Senegal. Credit: SEPCO Industries.}