PROJECT

NWS Project Extension

Transforming the NWS Project into a third-party gas processing facility, enabling the ongoing supply of gas and fluids to domestic and international markets for decades to come.

  • 40+

    years of operation

  • 6,500+

    LNG cargoes since 1989

  • 14%

    of WA’s 2024 total domestic gas supply

  • 700+

    WA businesses engaged

OVERVIEW

NWS Project Extension

For more than 40 years, the North West Shelf Project has been supplying affordable and reliable natural gas to Western Australian customers, contributing royalties and tax, providing jobs and investing in regional development. Since 1989, the project has exported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to international customers.

Located in north-western Australia, the North West Shelf Project is a nationally significant asset. The project includes a network of offshore oil and gas infrastructure and an onshore processing facility in Karratha, Western Australia.

The term “North West Shelf Project Extension” relates to environmental approval for ongoing operations for Karratha Gas Plant beyond 2030. It is not an expansion.

State Government approval for North West Shelf Project Extension was received in December 2024 after six years of assessment and appeals. Woodside looks forward to the finalisation of the Federal approval process to provide certainty around the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project.

The Federal Government provided proposed environmental approval for the NWS Project Extension in May 2025.

By using existing infrastructure, the project can continue to support local and global energy security and regional development opportunities.

What is the NWS Project Extension?

Transforming the NWS Project into a third-party gas processing facility.

Find out more

Meet the people of the North West Shelf Project

The North West Shelf Project holds a special place for our people, the businesses we work with and the Pilbara community. Find out what the North West Shelf Project means to our team.

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Meet the people of the North West Shelf Project - Narelle

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Meet the people of the North West Shelf Project - Aaron
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Meet the people of the North West Shelf Project - Haylee
Watch more videos on our YouTube Channel

Energy

The North West Shelf Project plays a critical role in supporting energy security, both in Western Australia and for our international customers.

Over 40 years, the project has supplied more than 6,000 petajoules of domestic gas to Western Australia, powering homes and industry. If used for just household electricity this is enough to power homes in cities like Perth for approximately 175 years.

In 2024, the project supplied 14% of Western Australia’s total domestic gas supply. To date, the project has delivered more than 6,500 LNG cargoes overseas.

Jobs

The North West Shelf Project is a major employer in Western Australia with almost 900 direct employees and 1,300 contractors supporting our operations.

The project also engages more than 700 Western Australian businesses and supports thousands of indirect jobs in the industries that rely on North West Shelf gas.

More than 330 employees live locally in Karratha and support the North West Shelf Project.

Tax

The North West Shelf Project pays its fair share of taxes.

Over the past four decades, the project has paid more than $40 billion in federal royalties and taxes.

In 2024/25, the North West Shelf Project is expected to deliver $614 million in royalties to Western Australia with royalties also delivered to the Federal Government.

Community

The North West Shelf Project has invested well over $300 million in community contributions in the City of Karratha.

Our support can be seen throughout the community, including the Red Earth Arts Precinct, the Leisureplex, local schools and childcare centres and healthcare infrastructure.

For more than 15 years, the project has supported education outcomes through the Pilbara Education Initiative.

Cultural heritage

We’re proud of the relationships we have developed with Traditional Owners. We recognise the significant cultural heritage values of the land where we operate.

We are working with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) to support the World Heritage Listing nomination for Murujuga.

We take our responsibility to manage cultural heritage seriously, guided by Traditional Owners, heritage experts and credible science.

Our community impact

We’re proud to support the local community through local jobs, social contribution and training. Find out more about our 2024 community highlights.

Find out more

Environmental approvals timeline

The NWS Project Extension is seeking primary environmental approval under the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999.

  • Referral Nov 2018

  • Environmental Scoping Document (ESD) Aug 2019

  • Preparing the draft ERD Dec 2019

  • Public comment period Dec 2019

  • Respond to comments via preparation of Response to Submissions document Feb 2020

  • EPA reviews Response to Submissions Nov 2021

  • EPA accepts and publishes proponent’s Response to Submissions Jun 2022

  • State and Federal Ministers’ decision and issuance of conditions

Participating interests

ParticipantInterest
Woodside (operator)33.33%
BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd16.67%
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd   16.67%
Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd16.67%
Shell Australia Pty Ltd16.67%
Pilbara enquiries
Phone:

1800 634 988

Fax:

61 8 9158 8000

Email:

[email protected]

Street Address:

Level 3, 24 Sharpe Avenue
Karratha WA 6714
Australia

karratha community updates
April 2025 - Karratha Community Update
December 2024 - Karratha Community Update
June 2024 - Karratha Community Update
March 2024 - Karratha Community Update
Related Documents
2025 North West Shelf Project Extension Fact Sheet
North West Shelf Project Extension - Environmental Review Document
North West Shelf Project Extension - Appendices
North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal’s Environmental Scoping Document
Social Impact North West Shelf (NWS) Project Extension Information Sheet
Last updated: 29/05/2025 1:22:11 PM