Woodside Energy has resumed work at its Scarborough FPU, a floating production unit offshore Western Australia, following a Greenpeace protest that halted pre-commissioning activities, ABC News reported on 19 October 2026.
The company stopped pre-commissioning work on 17 October after activists entered the facility without authorisation. The suspension continued on 18 October. Two protesters who stayed on the structure overnight were taken into custody that afternoon, and subsequent reporting confirmed that both faced charges.
Although the occupation disrupted Scarborough, Greenpeace’s campaign targeted Woodside’s separate Browse development proposal at Scott Reef. The organisation said its vessel Rainbow Warrior visited the reef before taking the activists to the Scarborough facility.
Greenpeace placed the start of the climb at approximately 5:45 am AWST on 17 October, at the FPU more than 200 km from Exmouth. Four activists took part initially. Two returned to Rainbow Warrior, while the remaining pair stayed overnight.
The protesters secured themselves to the structure with climbing equipment and unfurled banners opposing Woodside’s gas development plans and urging protection for Scott Reef. In its statement on the activists’ detention, Greenpeace said specialist police reached the facility by helicopter at about 11:30 am AWST on 18 October. The pair removed their climbing equipment before being detained at around 1:00 pm.
ABC reported that the Australian Border Force, WA Police and NOPSEMA jointly announced charges of interfering with offshore petroleum installations or operations. The two men appeared at Karratha Magistrates Court on 19 October.
Woodside said the unauthorised entry endangered employees and protesters and prompted a substantial response by authorities. Greenpeace disputed the company’s characterisation of the action, describing it as peaceful and saying its participants were trained and experienced.
Greenpeace said Woodside’s Scott Reef plans would involve up to 57 wells. It opposed the proposal on environmental grounds, citing potential harm to green sea turtles, pygmy blue whales and other marine life. Chief executive David Ritter urged the Australian government to reject Browse, while the organisation said around half a million people had called on authorities to protect Scott Reef from the company’s plans.
