Woodside Energy has announced that the floating production unit (FPU) for the Scarborough gas field has reached its destination in the Carnarvon Basin in Australian waters.
The offshore gas field is being developed under the broader Scarborough Energy Project. It is located 375km off Karratha in Western Australia (WA).
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The FPU, which weighs nearly 70,000 tonnes (t), has completed its journey of more than 4,000 nautical miles from China to Australia.
This achievement is a notable step in the Scarborough Energy Project, which is currently reported to be more than 91% complete.
Woodside acting CEO Liz Westcott said: “Having the FPU, an integral component of the Scarborough Energy Project, safely in the field is a momentous way to begin 2026. Its successful arrival is a further demonstration of the Woodside, McDermott and subcontractor teams’ collaboration and commitment to safe delivery of the project.
“At the start of 2025, the FPU hull and topsides were being constructed in separate yards. Since then, they have been integrated into a single unit and delivered into Australian waters, with work on securing the mooring lines under way.
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By GlobalData“Our focus now shifts to the hook-up and commissioning phase in preparation for production, and ultimately, first LNG cargo, which is on track for the second half of this year.”
The first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Scarborough project is anticipated in the second half of this year.
The Scarborough FPU, among the largest semi-submersible facilities yet constructed, plays a pivotal role in the Scarborough joint venture’s (JV) upstream strategy.
It features systems designed for emissions reduction and is equipped to treat and compress gas for export via the trunkline.
The operational phase of the Scarborough Energy Project aims to ensure a stable gas supply for WA and other markets within the Asia-Pacific region.
Economically, it is projected to contribute more than A$55bn ($36.85bn) in direct and indirect taxation to Australia.
The initiative includes several components such as the Scarborough gas field itself, Pluto Train 2’s construction, modifications to Pluto Train 1 and an integrated remote operations centre under construction in Perth.
Located off the Pilbara coast, the Scarborough field will utilise newly established offshore facilities connected by a pipeline of approximately 430km to a second LNG train at the onshore Pluto LNG plant.
The initial phase of the Scarborough development involves the drilling of eight wells, with a total of 13 wells planned over the field’s lifespan.
Woodside holds a 74.9% stake and operates the Scarborough JV. The other participants in the JV are JERA, with a 15.1% stake, and LNG Japan, with a 10% stake.
Additionally, Woodside has a 51% interest in the Pluto Train 2 JV and a 90% interest in the Pluto Train 1 JV.
