Call for Shell help

Broome anti-gas hub protesters have called on Shell to intervene in Woodside’s planned drilling and excavation works at James Price Point.

Protester Jan Lewis said the drilling would damage the fragile coastal ecology of the area and plunder an Aboriginal burial ground full of culturally sensitive sites.

Ms Lewis said Woodside planned to excavate the area as part of investigations into building a port to export LNG from the proposed James Price Point refineries.

“We know Shell prefers the option of a floating platform to process gas offshore rather than destroying the Kimberley coast,” she said.

“Woodside does not need to do this destructive work to inform a final investment decision.”

While the protesters and the Goolarabooloo family had written to Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke asking for help, Ms Lewis urged Shell, which owns 23 per cent of Woodside, to take a stand.

“As Shell claims to ‘meet the world’s growing demand for energy in economically, environmentally and socially responsible ways,’ we’re asking Shell to step in and encourage Woodside to do the right thing,” she said.

Woodside said the necessary heritage and environmental approvals would need to be in place prior to undertaking its 2013 works program, as operator of the Browse joint venture.

“Our activities within the proposed LNG precinct area will be closely monitored,” she said.