Santos shuts down Barossa LNG amidst global gas crunch<\/p>\n
The troubled $6 billion flagship will be out of action \u201cfor a number of weeks,\u201d just as Santos\u2019 customers are desperate for gas to replace supply from the Middle East.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774529408_760_BW-Opal-Barossa-vessel-2.jpg\")
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Both unplanned shutdowns come while gas-dependent nations scramble for LNG to replace the supply blocked behind the Strait of Hormuz. <\/p>\n
Australia’s gas customers were looking for more of the vital fuel, but may instead get less than they had expected.<\/p>\n
The flow of gas from the NWS into the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP), which supplies the south west of the state, has ceased. The plant supplies about five per cent of the state’s gas.<\/p>\n
The pipeline acts as a significant store of gas, preventing any immediate effect on supply. Any concern about WA having sufficient gas would be eased by the recent unplanned shutdown of Yara’s ammonia plant, which will free up gas for other users.<\/p>\n
The spokesman for the WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification said it is aware that the cyclone has impacted gas production facilities and, under the State Emergency Framework<\/a>, is working with relevant parties and monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n Its spokesman noted that the line pack – gas stored – in the DBNGP was at “green” status on the WA Gas Bulletin Board<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wind gusts of 122 km\/hour were recorded at Karratha<\/a> on early Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n As Cyclone Narelle tracked south of Varanus Island<\/a>, home to Santos’ domestic gas production, had gusts of 174 km\/hour at 6 PM, and Chevron’s Gorgon gas export project on Barrow Island<\/a> experienced gusts of 170km\/hour.<\/p>\n Boiling Cold asked Woodside about the state of its facilities in WA’s north and when production is likely to recommence.<\/p>\n A Woodside spokesperson said the company is\u00a0monitoring\u00a0the progress\u202fof Cyclone Narelle.\u202f\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n “Our priority is the safety of our people, the\u00a0environment\u00a0and our assets,” she said,<\/p>\n “Our offshore workforce has been safely demobilised in line with our cyclone preparation arrangements,<\/p>\n “If there is any material impact to production or assets, Woodside will update the market\u00a0in accordance with\u00a0its continuous disclosure obligations.”<\/p>\n Boiling Cold understands all personnel are removed from offshore platforms in the days preceding the arrival of a cyclone.<\/p>\n The Woodside spokeswoman said it was continuing to supply domestic gas to its customers from its WA assets.<\/p>\n Woodside operates the North West Shelf project and owns one-third of it. It also operates and owns most of the Pluto gas export project that supplies a small amount of gas to WA, and wholly owns the Macedon domestic gas plant.<\/p>\n A spokesman for the offshore safety regulator NOPSEMA said all operators have well-practised procedures to keep workers safe and protect the environment in the event of cyclones.<\/p>\n UPDATES<\/p>\n Cyclone tracking map addedWoodside domestic gas comments and WA portfolio added.WA Government comments added.NOPSEMA comments added.Clarification that platform personnel are normally set onshore prior to a cyclone added.Wind speeds added.Gas production chart and comment added.<\/p>\n CORRECTION<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cyclone-Narelle-tracking-map.png\"){kind=tracking}
Karratha was on the edge of an area classified as having destructive winds. Image: BOM<\/p>\n
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