Endangered turtles and ‘exceptional’ coral at risk from Woodside’s gas drilling in WA, watchdog says

Endangered green turtles in Scott Reef off the north-west coast of Western Australia. Scientists warn Woodside’s plan to develop the Browse basin off the Kimberley coast could damage the Scott Reef ecosystem. Photograph: Wendy Mitchell/Greenpeace

Woodside Energy’s plan to drill for gas off Western Australia’s north-west coast could significantly damage “exceptional” coral reefs and it may be impossible to reduce the risk of an oil spill to an acceptable level, according to advice from the state’s independent environmental watchdog.

A draft letter from WA’s Environmental Protection Authority written in 2023, seen by the Guardian, sharply criticised Woodside’s proposal to develop the Browse gasfield, saying its plans to protect endangered turtles and blue whales near Scott Reef would be ineffective.