PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Oil and gas major Woodside will be facing the Federal Court of Australia in relation to the environmental assessment of its Scarborough project, in Western Australia, after the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) commenced proceedings.

The ACF said on Wednesday that its case in the Federal Court is aimed at stopping the Scarborough project until its climate impacts could be properly assessed.

“Woodside Energy's Scarborough gas project and its Pluto extension is the most polluting new fossil fuel proposal in Australia. If it goes ahead, it would result in yearly climate pollution equal to the annual pollution from 15 coal-fired power stations,” said ACF general council Adam Beeson.

Woodside has pointed out that the Scarborough project has been the subject of rigorous environmental assessments by a range of regulators including the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority.

“The Scarborough project is underway and proceeding to schedule after receiving all primary environmental approvals,” CEO Meg O’Neill said.

“The project will deliver significant local and national benefits in the form of employment, tax revenue and reliable gas supply in the energy transition for decades to come.”

“Woodside will vigorously defend its position in these proceedings.”

The Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 developments are expected to cost a combined $12-billion, with Woodside’s share of capital expenditure amounting to $6.9-billion.

Scarborough gas processed through Pluto Train 2 will be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered to customers in north Asia, with first LNG cargo targeted for 2026.

Development of Scarborough will include the installation of a floating production unit with eight wells drilled in the initial phase and 13 wells drilled over the life of the Scarborough field. The gas will be transported to Pluto LNG through a new, approximately 430 km trunkline.