North West Shelf Celebrates 20-Year Milestone

The North West Shelf Venture celebrates a major milestone by reaching 20 years of reliable gas supply to Western Australia.

Twenty years ago today, the first gas from the North West Shelf arrived in Perth, marking the first chapter in a bold and visionary resource development project and a new era for Western Australia's industrial and social development.

Woodside's Chief Executive Officer of the NWS Venture, Steve Ollerearnshaw, said the start of gas supplies from the North West Shelf to the domestic market changed the face of Western Australia.

"The reliable supply of large volumes of competitively priced gas from the North West Shelf has affected the lives of everyone in the State in many ways," Mr Ollerearnshaw said.

"Natural gas has become the fuel of choice for thousands of domestic, commercial and industrial customers and is one of the main fuels used to generate electricity in the State's power stations.

"It has also spurred the development and growth of many regional towns, creating a footing for a vibrant and stable Western Australian economy."

Mr. Ollerearnshaw said that the NWS Venture's position as Australia's largest resource development project could be attributed to the foresight, determination and perseverance of business, government, industry and the community who turned a dream into a reality.

"Today is another important milestone for the NWS Venture and follows our achievement in July 2004 of 15 years reliable production of liquefied natural gas for export," he said.

"We acknowledge the contributions of all those who have played a part in our development and we are well placed to continue to meet the needs of domestic and overseas gas customers for many years to come."

The North West Shelf Venture domestic gas venture participants are Woodside Energy Ltd. (50.0%); BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd (16.67%); ChevronTexaco Australia Pty Ltd (16.67%); BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd (8.33%); and Shell Development (Australia) Proprietary Limited (8.33%). Woodside is the Operator of the North West Shelf Venture.