News Brief: Woodside Plastic Pollution Incident
Summary
Environmental groups are demanding stricter rules after Woodside Energy knowingly released nearly 200kg of plastic into the ocean during decommissioning work, failing to notify the regulator for almost two months.
Key Points
- Incident: During decommissioning of the Minerva gas pipeline (Jan-May 2025), approximately 186kg of plastic clamp components entered the ocean.
- Known Risk: Woodside was aware of the risk after the first loss on Jan 12 but continued operations without implementing controls for nearly two months.
- Regulatory Action: NOPSEMA ordered a work stoppage in July 2025 after finding Woodside breached its environmental obligations.
- Criticism: Greenpeace accused Woodside of prioritizing schedule over environment, calling for proactive oversight and fines from regulators.
- Clean-up: Woodside recovered about 36kg of plastic from over 50 beaches between May and July 2025.
- Next Steps: A Victorian parliamentary inquiry report is due March 2026. Woodside must submit revised decommissioning plans.
新闻简报：伍德赛德塑料污染事件
摘要
在伍德赛德能源公司于设施退役作业期间，在知情的情况下向海洋排放了近200公斤塑料，并拖延近两个月才通知监管机构后，环保组织呼吁制定更严格的法规。
关键点
- 事件：在米涅瓦天然气管道退役期间（2025年1月至5月），约186公斤塑料夹具组件进入海洋。
- 已知风险：伍德赛德在1月12日首次部件丢失后已知晓风险，但近两个月内未实施控制措施仍继续作业。
- 监管行动：国家海上石油安全与环境管理局在认定伍德赛德违反环境义务后，于2025年7月下令停止作业。
- 批评：绿色和平组织指责伍德赛德将工期置于环境之上，呼吁监管机构加强主动监督并实施罚款。
- 清理工作：2025年5月至7月间，伍德赛德从50多个海滩回收了约36公斤塑料材料。
- 后续步骤：维多利亚州议会相关调查报告将于2026年3月发布。伍德赛德必须提交修订后的退役计划。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-31/woodside-knowingly-sheds-plastic-into-ocean/106184338