Woodside Energy Group Suspends Pre‑Commissioning at Scarborough LNG Project
Woodside Energy Group, listed on the ASX and Australia’s largest natural‑gas exporter, announced on 18 October 2026 that it has halted pre‑commissioning activities at its Scarborough gas project off Western Australia following a direct action by Greenpeace activists.
The activists boarded the offshore platform on Saturday, set up temporary hanging tents, and remained on the structure overnight. Two of the demonstrators later returned to Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior vessel, while the remaining two stayed on the platform.
In a company statement, Woodside described the protest as having triggered a “significant, potentially costly and entirely avoidable response,” and urged authorities to enforce the law to the fullest extent against the protesters.
Woodside noted that the Scarborough development is 98 % complete and remains on schedule to ship its first liquefied natural‑gas cargo in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company did not specify how long the suspension will last nor whether the protest will affect the planned production timetable, adding uncertainty to the final stages of the project.
Greenpeace reiterated its opposition to the Scarborough development, arguing that the project threatens marine ecosystems and will contribute to greenhouse‑gas emissions.
Key Points
- Pre‑commissioning work halted after Greenpeace boarding and overnight occupation of the platform.
- Woodside warns of potentially significant additional costs and calls for strong legal action.
- Project is 98 % complete, with first LNG cargo still targeted for Q4 2026; suspension duration undisclosed.
- Greenpeace maintains its stance that the project poses environmental risks.