The Scarborough Energy Project, operated by Woodside Energy Group, has reached a key milestone with the final delivery of Pluto Train 2 modules to the Pluto LNG facility in Karratha, Western Australia.
This development keeps the project on course for its targeted first liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in 2026.
The module delivery, which commenced in February 2024, involved the transportation of 51 modules weighing a total of 56,000 metric tonnes from Batam, Indonesia. These modules form a critical component of the project’s expansion, which includes the addition of a second LNG processing train to the existing Pluto LNG infrastructure.
The expanded facility is designed to process approximately five million tonnes of LNG annually through Pluto Train 2. Additionally, the facility is equipped with domestic gas infrastructure that can supply up to 225 terajoules per day to Western Australia’s domestic market.
Engineering, procurement, and construction for Pluto Train 2 are being handled by Bechtel, with construction work at the Karratha site beginning in August 2022.
Woodside executive vice president and Australia chief operating officer Liz Westcott said: “The Scarborough Energy Project has made significant progress across multiple work fronts and is now over three quarters complete.
“The Woodside and Bechtel teams will now focus on executing the module integration and commissioning of the facility in preparation for the targeted first Scarborough LNG cargo in 2026.”
The Scarborough Energy Project, which includes the development of new offshore facilities and a 430km pipeline to the expanded onshore processing facility, is expected to generate substantial economic contributions.
Woodside estimates that the project will deliver more than A$50bn ($31.2bn) in direct and indirect tax payments. It is also projected to create over 3,000 jobs during construction and sustain approximately 600 roles during operations.
In October 2024, Woodside completed the installation of the subsea gas trunkline connecting the offshore Scarborough gas field, located 375km off the coast of Karratha, to the onshore Pluto LNG facility. The installation process spanned 12 months and involved multiple contractors and specialised equipment.
The project also includes plans for the deployment of a floating production unit (FPU) at the Scarborough field. The initial phase of development will involve drilling eight wells, with an additional five wells planned over the life of the project.
These wells will be connected to the FPU, which will be anchored in approximately 950m of water. Combined, the expanded Pluto LNG facility is expected to process eight million tonnes of LNG annually, with five million tonnes handled by Train 2 and the remaining three million tonnes by the existing Train 1.
In May 2024, Woodside secured a $1bn loan agreement from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation to support the development of the Scarborough Energy Project.
This financing arrangement followed Woodside’s earlier announcement of the sale of non-operating stakes in the Scarborough joint venture. As part of these transactions, JERA acquired a 15.1% interest, while LNG Japan completed the acquisition of a 10% stake in March 2024.
