The Burrup Hub
Based in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, the proposed Burrup Hub is a smart and innovative concept that utilises existing facilities to process new natural gas resources.
To be operated by Woodside, the proposed Burrup Hub aims to extend the life of existing North West Shelf (NWS) and Pluto LNG infrastructure, while creating new energy sources, combining efficient solutions and renewable technologies to limit emissions.
The Burrup Hub will create thousands of new employment and business opportunities, supporting local communities and the economy.
The proposed Burrup Hub will include:
- Bringing gas from the Scarborough resource to facilities at Pluto LNG.
- Expansion of Pluto LNG to include a second LNG Train, Pluto Train 2.
- Bringing gas from Browse to existing facilities at NWS Karratha Gas Plant (KGP).
- Transforming the use of the KGP to enable processing of third-party gas.
- Interconnector pipeline between Pluto LNG and KGP.
Extends Pilbara operations for decades
The Burrup Hub makes the most of existing facilities, reducing the need for new greenfield site construction.
The proposed developments equate to about 40 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gross (100%) dry gas resources from Scarborough, Browse, Pluto and NWS, relying on proven liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities – Pluto LNG and the existing NWS Project infrastructure. The Burrup Hub provides future opportunities for third-party resource owners to use the existing infrastructure to process gas.
The direct contribution to the Australian economy through capital and operational spending, employment, taxation, royalties and exports has been estimated by ACIL Allen Consulting to boost Australia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by about $414 billion between 2019 and 2063.
Stakeholder engagement overview
Regular community liaison and stakeholder meetings are held. Project-specific activities include:
- Regular supplier, community liaison and heritage group meetings.
- Community and environmental information sessions.
- Supplier engagement.
- Consultation with Traditional Owners.
- Individual briefings with stakeholders on project progression.
Multiple communications channels used to reach community stakeholders on approvals processes:
- A dedicated Burrup Hub Environmental Approvals section on Woodside’s website.
- Actively promoting the environmental assessments on social media.
- Traditional media advertising on environmental assessment public comment periods.
At each key milestone, Woodside offers stakeholders individual briefings and provides progress updates to the Broome and Karratha communities.
Burrup Hub jobs
- Average of 4,000 jobs a year nationally estimated to be created over a 40-year period.
- Peak construction workforce of over 4,600 anticipated in 2023.
- Largely residential operational workforce, long-term job opportunities.
Environment & Sustainability
Approvals being assessed by regulatory authorities. Supported by:
- Environmental assessments.
- Studies and scientific surveys.
- Extensive stakeholder engagement.
- Impact and risk assessments.
Using the latest technologies and energy solutions to increase reliability and efficiency, and significantly reduce emissions. Opportunities include:
- Integrating industrial-scale solar energy with gas-fired generation.
- Use of renewables and batteries to power facilities.
- High efficiency power plant.
- Efficient aero-derivative gas turbines.
- 40% reduction in NOx.
- Active heating in flowlines.
- Improving energy efficiency of existing plants, equipment and infrastructure.
Woodside has set a target to offset its global portfolio equity reservoir CO2 from 2021.
Community and regional development
- Projected growth from the Burrup Hub will support local operations and WA communities for decades to come.
- Largely residential operational workforce, providing an economic boost for communities and long-term job opportunities.
- Local businesses engaged as a priority and where possible, creating new business opportunities.
- Long-term investment in indigenous education, training and jobs, as well as recognising, respecting and preserving cultural heritage.
Australian LNG’s role in a lower carbon future
- By 2040, the IEA predicts low-carbon technologies, led by renewables, and natural gas to meet more than 80% of the increase in global energy demand.
- Natural gas is significantly less carbon intensive than other fossil fuels and LNG provides a cleaner alternative to traditional coal.
- Australia is China’s primary source of LNG. The world’s largest carbon emitter, is rapidly transitioning away from coal towards natural gas in order to decrease its emissions and improve its air quality.
- Independent expert analysis by Environmental Resources Management (ERM) shows the proposed Browse and Scarborough projects could reduce global emissions by replacing higher emitting fuels in its customer markets.
- LNG is being used as a “dual fuel” in the transport sector. It’s fuelling ships and trucks, providing a cleaner alternative to traditional heavier-emissions fuels.