# Woodside Energy gas project environmental disputes > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/woodside-energy-gas-project-environmental-disputes > Updated: 2026-10-26T23:14:31.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2. Operations at Woodside Energy’s $12.5 billion Scarborough natural gas project off the coast of Western Australia were paused following a protest by Greenpeace activists. Protesters scaled a floating production unit to display banners protesting the potential impact of the proposed Browse project on the Scott Reef ecosystem, a habitat for the endangered pygmy blue whale. Woodside characterized the unauthorized access as “dangerous, reckless and illegal.” Simultaneously, internal documents from Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) have highlighted significant environmental concerns regarding the Browse gas project. A draft letter from the EPA cautioned that the project, which involves drilling up to 50 new wells and constructing a 900-kilometer pipeline, poses a risk of “significant, serious and irreversible” consequences to marine environments, including Scott Reef and Rowley Shoals. The EPA noted that mitigation measures for protecting species such as green turtles and pygmy blue whales were inadequate and warned that while the likelihood of an unplanned hydrocarbon release is low, the consequences could be “catastrophic.” The project remains under assessment under national nature laws. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Western Australia EPA warns of irreversible damage from Woodside gas project Western Australia’s EPA has warned that Woodside Energy’s Browse gas project could cause “irreversible” damage to Scott Reef and surrounding marine environments, including threats to green turtles. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/western-australia-epa-warns-of-irreversible-damage-from-woodside-gas-project ### 2026-10-18: Woodside pauses Scarborough gas project after Greenpeace protest Woodside Energy has paused operations at its $12.5 billion Scarborough gas project off Western Australia after Greenpeace activists scaled an offshore platform to protest threats to Scott Reef. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greenpeace-activists-arrested-after-woodside-gas-platform-protest --- Cite as: Woodside Energy gas project environmental disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/woodside-energy-gas-project-environmental-disputes