May. 2013 - Woodside and Shell have entered into an agreement that sets out the principals that will apply if Browse is developed using Shell's floating liquid natural gas (FLNG) technology. The agreement provides a framework that would enable the Browse joint venture to progress FLNG as a development concept. The Browse partners will immediately begin to evaluate the agreement, the extent of work on alternative development concepts and the obligations under the Browse retention leases. Just a few weeks ago, Woodside and its partners elected to abandon their onshore LNG development concept due to extremely high development costs. Browse resources are estimated at 15.5 Tcf of natural gas.

Apr. 2013 - After completing technical and commercial evaluations of the proposed Browse LNG development off Western Australia, Woodside has determined the chosen development concept does not meet the company's commercial requirements for a positive final investment decision. Woodside, together with the Browse joint venture partners, will immediately begin evaluating other development concepts which could include floating technologies, a pipeline to existing LNG facilities nearby or a smaller onshore option.

Aug. 2012 - Interests in two major natural gas projects in Australia have changed hands between Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron Corporation. Shell has agreed to swap its interest 33.3-percent interest in two gas fields associated with its Wheatstone project located in Western Australia and pay $450 million in cash to Chevron. In return, Shell will receive a combined interest of 36.7-percent interest in the Browse LNG project.

Shell will now hold a 35-percent ownership in West Browse and 25-percent in East Browse. International Director for Shell Upstream, Andy Brown believes this deal with simplify the ownership of the Browse gas fields.

Jul. 2012 - Western Australia's Environment Protection Authority chairman Paul Vogel has recommended the $35 billion Woodside Petroleum-led Browse liquefied natural gas project can precede, describing the assessment as the most complex in the agency's history. The recommendation is subject to a two-week public appeal process before the EPA's assessment will go to state and federal environmental ministers. The EPA's 29 conditions embrace underwater noise monitoring and fossil heritage management plans to sediment disturbance testing. Final bids from contractors for the onshore work at James Price Point are to be finalized later this month, which will give the partners a clearer view of the economics of the 12 million ton a year LNG plant.

Apr. 2012 - Woodside was advised that the Commonwealth Minister for Resources and Energy and the WA Minister for Mines and Petroleum have approved amendments to the Browse Basin retention leases. The amendments include extending the condition relating to readiness for a final investment decision on the proposed Browse LNG Development in Australia from mid-2012 to the first half of 2013. This will allow time to better evaluate the outcomes of front-end engineering and design work and the results of the tender processes for the developments major contracts. The Browse LNG development consists of three fields: Torosa, Brecknock and Calliance. It is estimated they hold roughly 13.3 Tcf of dry gas and 360 million barrels of condensate in reserves.

Jun. 2011 - Woodside Energy has selected KCA Deutag, one of two drilling contractors, to carry out a substantial Front End Engineering Design (FEED) contract relating to a 3,000HP Modular Platform Drilling Rig (MPDR) for the Browse Liquefied Natural Gas LNG Development offshore Australia. The MPDR will be capable of drilling large bore gas wells up to 29,528 feet (9,000 meters) and move between Dry Tree Units (DTUs) based on a tension leg platform design. The DTUs will reside over the Calliance and Brecknock fields, located about 168 miles (270 kilometers) from the Kimberley Coast, Western Australia. By year-end, Woodside expects to obtain environmental approvals, acquire a land access agreement, and have the FEED completed. By accomplishing these goals, the Browse Joint Venture can make a final investment decision by mid-2012.

Apr. 2011 - Wood Group Kenny has received a contract to support the Browse LNG development offshore Australia. J P Kenny Pty together with its related Wood Group Kenny sister companies, will perform subsea and pipelines front-end engineering design (FEED) for the project. The FEED project commenced in February 2011 and first gas is expected in 2017. The Browse gas fields include the Torosa, Brecknock, and Calliance discoveries, and the natural gas contained in these fields will primarily be converted into LNG for export to international markets. The shareholders in the Browse LNG project include Woodside, BHP Billiton, BP, Chevron and Shell.

Feb. 2011 - Fluor Corporation announced that its Fluor Offshore Solutions received a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by Woodside for the Browse LNG project. Fluor’s scope of work includes FEED services for the offshore central gas processing facility including the steel jackets, a compression platform and utilities accommodation platform. Fluor and McDermott International will work together to design the steel jackets and float-over installation. Fluor will complete the FEED in late 2011. The Browse development is located in the Browse Basin about 264 miles (425 kilometers) north of Broome off the western coast of Australia.