Woodside Gas Drilling Threatens Endangered Turtles and Coral 2026

Woodside Energy's plan to drill for gas off Western Australia's north-west coast could significantly damage "exceptional" coral reefs and make it impossible to reduce oil spill risk to an acceptable level, according to the state's environmental watchdog. The warning comes from a draft letter by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) that sharply criticised the Browse gasfield proposal.

The EPA's concerns centre on the Scott Reef ecosystem, home to more than 1,500 species, many unique to the area. The draft letter, written in 2023 and seen by the Guardian, said Woodside's plans to protect endangered turtles and blue whales would be ineffective.

What the EPA found: risks to turtles and coral

The draft EPA letter, presented to the authority's board in December 2023, raised serious doubts about Woodside's environmental safeguards. It suggested that the company's measures to protect endangered turtles and blue whales near Scott Reef would not work.

More broadly, the EPA questioned whether the risk of an oil spill could be reduced to an acceptable level. The letter described the coral reefs as "exceptional," underscoring their ecological value.

In February 2024, the EPA sent a letter to Woodside stating its preliminary view was to reject development of the vast gas reserve. That was a significant setback for Woodside's plan to drill more than 50 wells and pipe gas 1,000km to its ageing North West Shelf gas export plant.

Why Scott Reef matters

Scott Reef is a remote coral reef system about 300km off the Kimberley coast. Scientists have warned that drilling could damage the ecosystem, which supports a rich array of marine life.

The reef's isolation has allowed many species to evolve uniquely, making it a biodiversity hotspot. Any significant impact could have cascading effects on the broader marine environment.

The EPA's draft critique adds weight to concerns that the Browse project's environmental footprint could be too high.

Woodside's Browse project: what's at stake

Woodside, Australia's largest fossil fuel company, hopes to win approval next year to develop the Browse basin. The project would involve drilling more than 50 wells and transporting gas to the North West Shelf plant.

The company won approval last year to run the North West Shelf until 2070, but it needs environmental approval for the Browse field to proceed. The EPA's preliminary rejection is a major hurdle.

The North West Shelf plant is adjacent to the world heritage-listed Murujuga rock art, adding another layer of sensitivity to the project.

Key takeaways from the EPA's draft advice

• The EPA's draft letter criticised Woodside's plans to protect endangered turtles and blue whales as ineffective.
• The watchdog questioned whether oil spill risks could be reduced to an acceptable level.
• Scott Reef is a biodiversity hotspot with over 1,500 species, many found nowhere else.
• The EPA's preliminary view in February 2024 was to reject the Browse gas development.
• Woodside plans to drill more than 50 wells and pipe gas 1,000km to the North West Shelf plant.

Comparing the stakes: Browse project vs. environmental protection

What to watch next

Woodside is expected to push for approval next year, but the EPA's preliminary rejection signals a tough road ahead. The company may need to revise its environmental plans or face a formal refusal.

The case highlights growing scrutiny of fossil fuel projects in Australia, especially those near sensitive marine environments. How the EPA balances energy development with conservation will be closely watched.

For context on how environmental pressures affect Australian wildlife, consider the endangered Australian bat population drop of 16% in summer, which shows similar ecological stresses.

Another example is the endangered Australian bat population drop of 16% that baffles experts, underscoring the wider biodiversity crisis.

Not all energy projects conflict with wildlife: endangered birds protected from South Australia space project shows how careful planning can mitigate impacts.

The endangered Australian bat population drop of 16% and experts are concerned about similar declines in other species. The background to this story is set out in Trump Forest Rule Rollback Threatens 400 Endangered Species. A related thread runs through Woodside Gas Project Faces Federal Court Over Climate Impact.

As the Browse decision unfolds, the EPA's stance will set a precedent for how Australia's natural treasures are safeguarded. Earlier coverage in Woodside’s ‘Carbon Bomb’ Gas Project Faces Federal Court Challeng shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Trump Drilling Plan Threatens US World Heritage Sites.