The Australian government expects to reach a decision as soon as next month on Woodside Energy Ltd.'s Browse Basin gas project [3].

As the largest untapped gas resource in Australia, the project's approval would signal a major shift in the country's energy infrastructure and economic strategy. The outcome determines whether one of the region's most significant natural gas deposits will be commercialized.

The project is located in the Browse Basin off the coast of Western Australia [2]. It carries an estimated value of $30 billion [1]. After a review process that has lasted eight years [1], the proposal is now awaiting final approval from the environment minister.

The decision process is governed by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act [2]. This legislation requires the minister to evaluate the potential environmental impact of the extraction and transport of the gas before granting permission to proceed.

Woodside has navigated the assessment period for nearly a decade to reach this stage. The project remains a focal point for energy security discussions in the region, balancing the demand for natural gas against environmental conservation mandates.

Government officials said that the decision timeline is now accelerating [3]. A final ruling in June 2026 would conclude one of the longest assessment periods for a domestic energy project in recent history.

“The project carries an estimated value of $30 billion.”

The impending decision on the Browse Basin project represents a critical junction for Australia's energy policy. By weighing a $30 billion investment against the strictures of the EPBC Act, the government is balancing immediate economic gain and energy sovereignty against long-term environmental commitments. A positive ruling would solidify natural gas as a pillar of the economy for decades, while a rejection or heavy restriction would signal a pivot toward more aggressive decarbonization targets.