Greenpeace Activists Occupy Woodside Gas Platform in Western Australia
Greenpeace activists scaled a Woodside floating production unit off Western Australia, forcing the company to pause operations at its Scarborough natural gas project.
Energy company Woodside paused operations on Sunday at a floating production unit part of its 12.5 billion dollar Scarborough natural gas project off the coast of Western Australia. The suspension followed a protest that began Saturday, when four Greenpeace activists scaled the 70,000 metric ton semi-submersible unit and displayed banners urging the company to protect Scott Reef.
Two activists remained on the unit overnight in temporary hanging tents, stating they intend to occupy the platform for as long as possible. Greenpeace claims the company's proposed Browse project threatens Scott Reef, a coral system and foraging area for endangered pygmy blue whales. Woodside maintains it expects no physical contact with the reef above 75 meters in depth.
The Australian Border Force is currently coordinating a response to the occupation with federal and state agencies.
