Black Mountain's conclusion that its drilling will not affect water resources is without foundation, and threatened species and National Heritage are at risk, according to the Federal environment department.
The Woodside-operated remote Browse gas fields off the Kimberley coast have been planned to supply various LNG projects over two decades without success, held back by cost, distance and a high level of carbon dioxide in the gas. BP is the major shareholder.
Delay to Woodside's big growth bet on the "Burrup Hub" Scarborough and Browse LNG projects looks more likely with Woodside warned not to overspend as its partners trim their budgets.
WA is the only state in Australia with rising emissions on the back of new LNG projects that will make meeting Paris Agreement emissions reductions very dificult.
Woodside and ConocoPhillips are gravitating toward the cheapest development options for their Browse and Barossa gas fields to compete with low-cost Qatar.
