PERTH – 8 August 2023 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific has today released a report outlining the potentially catastrophic impacts of Woodside’s Browse project on West Australia’s pristine oceans, the threat of an oil spill, and Woodside’s troubling history of environmental neglect. 

It follows concerning reports that the WA Government is trying to set expectations for Woodside’s controversial Browse project to go ahead despite the EPA telling Woodside the project held ‘unacceptable risks’.  

The One Spill Will Kill Report comes after Fairfax papers reported WA’s Environmental Protection Authority provided a preliminary assessment to fossil fuel giant Woodside that deemed the Browse proposal unacceptable, due to risks including the potential impact of a hydrocarbon spill on vulnerable green turtles and endangered pygmy blue whales.

The Browse project is a key part of Woodside’s Burrup Hub proposal – the most climate-polluting fossil fuel project currently proposed in Australia today.

Excerpts from Greenpeace’s “One Spill Will Kill” report, released today, state that:

An oil spill from the Burrup Hub threatens 54 endangered species, including the critically endangered pygmy blue whale and green sea turtle. Gas flaring and lights disrupt turtle nesting, while subsidence threatens critical habitats. Shipping and drilling activities endanger whale migration pathways.

A disaster at the project site could devastate marine ecosystems and coastlines as far as East Timor and Indonesia, causing long-term environmental damage. 

Six incidents in 10 years: Woodside has a troubling history of environmental neglect and has experienced at least six major incidents in the last decade, including an explosion, oil spill and whale calf collision. Given this track record, why should we expect the Burrup Hub to be any different?

Emissions and methane leaks from the Burrup Hub’s operations will worsen Australia’s climate crisis. The predicted emissions from Woodside’s Burrup Hub are far greater than all other proposed fossil fuel projects currently undergoing Federal environmental assessment – resulting in 6.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its proposed 50-year lifetime if approved, well beyond the timeframe that the world must move to net zero emissions.

Comments attributable to Geoff Bice, WA Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific:

“West Australians just won’t stand for the irreparable destruction of our iconic reefs and native life.

“Protecting Scott Reef means protecting everything West Australians love most about our state – its natural beauty.

“Woodside’s arrogance in even contemplating a gas proposal of this scale next to a fragile coral reef is clear to see. 

“More gas only delays the transition to renewable energy. Pumping this volume of gas into the system somewhere in the 2030s would make a mockery of global efforts to end fossil fuel expansion.

“We trust that Minister Whitby and Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will prioritise their duty to protect the environment when making their decision on Browse.”

—ENDS—

Images and footage of Scott Reef are available for hi-res download here. Greenpeace AP representatives can be made available for interview on request.

Media contacts: Lisa Wills, 0456 206 021 / [email protected]