The project was 98% complete at the end of Q2 and is on track for first LNG cargo in Q4 this year. Once operational, Scarborough will provide a secure and reliable gas supply for Western Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region by delivering one of Australia’s largest new sources of energy.

It will also support the energy transition and help our North Asian customers take action on greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

Scarborough Start-up Manager Tim noted first gas was the culmination of years of planning, construction, and commissioning.

“This is a major achievement for the project and the Woodsiders, joint venture participants and contractors and partners who have contributed to safely bringing the Scarborough offshore facilities to this point,” Tim said.

“There will be exciting times still to come, and the work the team has done to get us here will enable a steady and safe start-up.”

The Scarborough field is located in the Carnarvon Basin, approximately 375 km off the Pilbara coast of Western Australia.

The project has generated more than 3,000 construction jobs in WA and is expected to contribute more than A$55 billion in indirect and direct taxes for Australia’s economy—and boost Australia’s GDP by billions of dollars.

The work that has gone into first gas stretches back many years—well before Woodside made the final investment decision (FID) on the project in 2021.

Key achievements include the manufacture and installation of a 433 km subsea pipeline, drilling of eight of the eventual 13 wells ready for production, and the completion of the 70,000-tonne FPU.

Scarborough Project Manager Ty said the first gas milestone reflected the dedication of the entire project team.

“I want to recognize the commitment, technical excellence and resilience of the Scarborough Energy Project team and contractors,” Ty said.

“There’s still important work ahead before we deliver first cargo; however, reaching offshore RFSU is an achievement we can all be proud of.”

Attention will now turn onshore, including the safe start-up and commissioning of Pluto Train 2.

By the Numbers

• 45 million-plus hours worked.

• 433 km of subsea pipeline manufactured and installed.

• 6 14-inch flexible flowlines designed, manufactured, and safely installed.

• 1,500 km of connectivity—a fiber optic cable now links the FPU with Woodside’s Integrated Remote Operations Centre in Perth.

• 9 subsea Xmas trees, along with manifolds and other subsea infrastructure, designed, manufactured, and installed.

• 8 of the eventual 13 wells drilled and ready for first production.

• 20 suction piles and 40 km of mooring chains and wire installed to secure the FPU—a scope of work successfully tested during Tropical Cyclone Narelle in March.

• 70,000 tonnes brought together to create the FPU, with the 40,000-tonne hull joined to the 30,000-tonne topsides before being wet-towed to the Scarborough field, where integration and commissioning were successfully completed.