Western Australia's Burrup Hub Gas Development Could Release Twice the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Other Australian Fossil Fuel Projects

Strategic Insights -

The planned expansion of Western Australia's Burrup Hub, led by Woodside Energy, could lead to the release of 6.1 billion tonnes of CO2, roughly 13 times Australia's annual emissions, according to an analysis by Greenpeace. The majority of emissions would occur when the gas is sold and burned overseas. The proposed expansion includes the development of the Scarborough and Browse gas fields and the extension of Woodside's North West Shelf liquified natural gas (LNG) processing plant until 2070.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Burrup Hub expansion could lead to the release of 6.1 billion tonnes of CO2, which is roughly 13 times Australia's annual emissions.
  • The majority of emissions would occur when the gas is sold and burned overseas.
  • The proposed expansion includes the development of the Scarborough and Browse gas fields and the extension of Woodside's North West Shelf liquified natural gas (LNG) processing plant until 2070.
  • Federal independent MP Kate Chaney stated that the scale of the development plans "dwarfs anything else in this space" and that she struggles to see how Australia can reach its federal emissions reduction targets if gas expansion continues.
  • The International Energy Agency has forecasted that demand for coal, oil, and gas could peak this decade, making the proposed expansion a potential "stranded asset".

Statistics:

  • 6.1 billion tonnes of CO2 could be released from the Burrup Hub expansion.
  • Australia's annual emissions are approximately 0.47 billion tonnes of CO2.
  • The majority of emissions from the Burrup Hub expansion would occur when the gas is sold and burned overseas.
  • The proposed expansion of the North West Shelf processing facility could lead to the release of 4.9 million tonnes of CO2 for every million tonnes of LNG produced.

Sources:

  • Greenpeace
  • The Guardian
  • International Energy Agency
  • Australian Government
  • Woodside Energy
  • Santos
  • WA Environment Protection Authority
  • Federal Environment Department