In a significant step toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions, Woodside Energy has unveiled plans to integrate a carbon capture and storage (CCS) system into its ambitious Browse gas project off the coast of Western Australia.
The initiative aims to capture and store millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide generated during gas extraction, potentially reshaping the environmental footprint of the project. Located around 425 kilometers north of Broome, the Browse project focuses on developing the Brecknock, Calliance, and Torosa gas fields.
Woodside’s proposed CCS system will capture the majority of CO2 from the Browse reservoir, injecting it deep underground into the Calliance Storage Formation, approximately four kilometers beneath the seabed. According to the company, this approach could cut Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by about 53 million tonnes, equating to a 47% reduction in potential emissions.
The CCS system is slated to become operational shortly after the Browse to North West Shelf (NWS) Project’s offshore production facilities reach steady-state operations. The development plan also includes two floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units capable of producing 11.4 million tonnes per year of LNG, LPG, and domestic gas. These facilities will be linked to existing NWS Project infrastructure via a 900-kilometer pipeline.
However, regulatory approvals remain a significant obstacle. Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill expressed frustration over delays in securing approvals for the North West Shelf life extension, a prerequisite for advancing the Browse project. The company aims to progress the CCS component before the end of 2025 but faces uncertainties tied to approval timelines.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the CCS plans, arguing that they fall short of addressing the broader climate impact of the project. Critics highlight that the reductions primarily target direct emissions, while indirect (Scope 3) emissions from the consumption of gas remain unaddressed.
As Australia navigates its dual role as a leading LNG exporter and a nation committed to reducing carbon emissions, the Browse project and its CCS strategy have become a flashpoint in the debate over the future of fossil fuel developments.