The Browse LNG was a liquefied natural gas plant project proposed for construction at James Price Point, 52 km north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia. It was considered by a joint venture, including Woodside Petroleum, Shell, BP, Japan Australia LNG, and BHP Billiton, with Woodside as the operator. It would have processed natural gas extracted from the Browse Basin. Liquefied natural gas would then be shipped from a port facility also located in the Browse LNG Precinct. It was abandoned as an onshore project owing to lack of economic viability.
Background
The Browse Basin is estimated to contain combined contingent volumes of 15.9 trillion cubic feet of dry gas and 436 million barrels of condensate. The reserves are contained in the Torosa, Brecknock, and Calliance fields.[1]
History
The proposed project included an LNG gas plant located at James Price Point, 52 km north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula, WA.
As of, the owners of the joint venture were:[2]
In December 2012, PetroChina agreed to buy BHP Billiton's 8.3% stake in the East Browse and 20% holding in the West Browse joint venture for US$1.63 billion. The transaction was subject to regulatory approval and an option for the other members of the joint venture to match the offer.[4]
The onshore project was abandoned by the joint venture after Australia's rising costs made the project unviable.[5]
- Woodside Petroleum (Operator)
- Shell
Concerns
Indigenous concerns
James Price Point is close to as several Aboriginal sacred sites.[5]
The Kimberley Land Council, as the representatives of the local Jabirr Jabirr people at Goolarabooloo relating to the Native Title Act 1993, supported the onshore project by 60% of votes. However, some traditional owners engaged in a legal challenge against this decision. In a press statement they say "…many local Indigenous people are disgusted by the apparent abandonment of the established process put in place by the previous State government. Concerns include the threats made earlier in the year by the Premier regarding compulsory acquisition of land and the pre-empting of the Joint State and Commonwealth environmental and cultural assessment process via announcements by Woodside and the Premier."[6]
Environment
According to Australian Greens, construction of the port facilities, including the dredging and blasting of reefs and seabed, is expected to result in a 50 km2 "marine deadzone".
See also
- Gladstone LNG
- North West Shelf Project
- Wheatstone LNG
References
- Browse LNG - Woodside www.woodside.com.au, retrieved 12 January 2022^
- Browse LNG Woodside Petroleum, retrieved 2012-12-26^
- UPDATE 2-Mitsui, Mitsubishi to buy Australia LNG stake for $2 bln Reuters, 2012-05-01, retrieved 2012-12-27