WOODSIDE’S Browse gas export project, under attack from environmental groups, has submitted amendments to its proposal to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
The $30 billion North West Shelf project has faced environmental concerns, particularly regarding its proximity to Scott Reef and endangered species like green turtles.
According to Woodside’s proposal on the EPA website: “The proposed amendment includes a reduction in development envelope size to no longer overlap the Scott Reef shallow water benthic habitats or Sandy Islet, modifications to remove or relocate drilling units to avoid green turtle habitats, and the adoption of technology to minimise the risk of a loss-of-well control event.”
The EPA has opened the documentation for a four-week public review, from 12 May to 10 June.
While Woodside argues that the project is crucial for energy security and economic benefits, environmental groups remain sceptical, calling the changes cosmetic and warning of ongoing risks.
In a media release from environmental group Greenpeace Australia on 13 May the group said the revised Browse plan failed to mitigate Scott Reef risk, but welcomed what it said was the WA EPA’s “rare decision” to reopen public consultation for the Woodside proposal.
“The WA EPA assessed Woodside’s original proposal as ‘unacceptable’, citing concerns about serious potential impacts to the environmentally sensitive Scott Reef. This included risk of an oil spill, impacts on threatened species, and the subsidence of Sandy Islet, a vital rookery for the endangered green sea turtle.
“Over 20,000 public submissions were lodged in response to Woodside’s previous proposal. Woodside’s Browse plans would see drilling for gas directly underneath the Scott Reef.”
Geoff Bice, WA Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Woodside’s revised plans are merely tinkering at the edges of what is a fundamentally problematic proposal, which fails to address the risk of subsidence at Sandy Islet, and hinges on a yet to be proven technology to mitigate the risk of a major oil spill — it is incompatible with the protection of the fragile Scott Reef.”
The EPA will review public feedback before making a final recommendation to the environment minister by the end of the year.